The Journey Begins 2000

Scott Gustafson’s ‘The Journey Begins’ feels like it was made with a wink and a nudge. It’s all about that smooth, blended application of paint. This isn't about rough edges; it’s a world where everything is softened and idealized, made anew. Take a look at the angel’s beard. See how the brushstrokes feather out, creating a sense of lightness? It’s like he's sculpting with light itself. The color palette is like a dream, this airy mix of creams, light reds and yellows. It’s a gentle world, created through gentle strokes. I can only imagine that it was made through building up layer upon layer of transparent glazes. This reminds me a bit of Maxfield Parrish, that sense of glowing, magical realism. But Gustafson's got his own thing, a particular way of making the mythic seem totally approachable. It’s that fine line between believability and fantasy, and somehow, he just nails it. Art is an ongoing conversation, and it's nice to see the ways in which artists continue to speak to each other over the years.