La Primavera Fredda (Cold Spring) 1988

Sam Francis made this painting, La Primavera Fredda, or Cold Spring, using fluid washes of paint. It seems like a dance between control and letting go, which is often how painting feels to me. The cool green dominates, but within each cell, there are surprises of yellow, pink, and fleeting lines that zip across. The paint isn't thick or gloppy, but rather translucent, like watercolor, which allows the colors to breathe and blend. Looking closely, you can see splatters and drips, a record of the artist's movements. In the lower left corner, one cell has a burst of yellow that feels like the sun trying to break through. It reminds me of Joan Mitchell's work, with its energetic brushstrokes and emotional intensity. Ultimately, the painting is more about the process of seeing and feeling than any fixed idea, and that’s what makes it so alive.