Youthful Pride 2019

Terri Kelly Moyers has painted this lovely young lady wearing what looks to me like traditional dress, maybe for a special celebration. I can imagine Moyers starting with a light sketch, mapping out the girl's posture, then building up layers of oil paint to capture the light and texture of her clothes. The folds in that skirt and those beautiful decorative objects—so carefully observed! Moyers is paying attention to the way light bounces off of surfaces, creating a sense of depth and form. What was she thinking when she made it? I wonder if she was trying to capture a fleeting moment of joy and pride. Look at the way the girl holds herself, the slight smile on her face – she’s radiant! Painters are always in conversation with each other, across time and space. Moyers' work reminds me a bit of some of the American Realists, like Winslow Homer, in its attention to detail. It’s a conversation that continues to evolve, each artist adding their own voice and perspective.