Untitled 1946

This is an untitled painting by James Brooks, and it’s all about how the colours speak to each other, a conversation in blues, reds and whites. Brooks is pulling colours apart to build forms in layers. Look closely, and you can see how the paint has been dragged and dabbed across the surface. He’s not trying to hide the process; it’s right there, part of the story. The texture is key here, thin washes creating depth, allowing the canvas to breathe. There’s one part, right in the middle, where a pale blue almost kisses a grey shape, and it just sings. It's a subtle but powerful contrast that draws the eye and makes you think about how colour can define space and emotion. Reminds me of the way Guston used to play with colour. It's like they’re both saying, let's not be too serious, but let’s make it count. Art isn't about answers; it's about asking the right questions.