Sylvia 2014

Gazmend Freitag painted "Sylvia" with oil on canvas, and you can really see that process in the final piece. I love how the brushstrokes are so visible, almost like they're dancing across the surface. The paint isn’t applied to create a smooth surface, it’s pretty thick in places, especially around the figure's face and shoulders. It looks like Freitag uses a variety of brushes, some wide and flat for the background washes, and others smaller and rounder for the details. The colors are summery and vibrant – greens, yellows, and reds creating a sense of warmth and light. Look at how he's handled the shadow beneath her chair. It's almost a figure in itself, solid and dark, a complete contrast to the light and airy feel everywhere else. It reminds me a little of Alex Katz, with his bold, graphic approach to form, but Freitag's looser, more expressive style gives it a totally different energy. It's a great example of how different artists can approach similar subjects in totally unique ways.