Optical Shapes #3 1969

Judy Chicago made this Optical Shapes #3 with what looks like colored pencils. There's something so compelling about the process here. It's not about hiding the work; it's about laying it bare for us to see. I'm drawn to the textures. Notice how the color has this almost sandy quality? You can see the individual marks, the subtle variations in pressure, that build up the hues. These aren't just flat planes of color; they're fields of tiny actions. In the top left shape, see the warm orange next to the olive green? The shapes are bold, but there's also a gentleness. This piece reminds me of Hilma af Klint's early diagrams. Both artists dive deep into abstraction, pursuing shapes and colors that feel like keys to a hidden language. It's about embracing the unknown. It’s about leaving room for the unexpected and celebrating the journey of artmaking itself.