Red Boat 2017

David Michael Hinnebusch made this painting called "Red Boat" using, it seems, pretty loose brushstrokes and a bold palette. I love how artmaking can be a process of discovery, and this piece feels like a journey. There's a real physicality to the medium here. You can almost feel the texture of the paint. It’s not overly thick, but there’s a layering, a kind of conversation happening on the canvas. The red is dominant, but it’s offset by these patches of yellow and green, creating a dynamic tension. Look at the way the boat is rendered, in thick, almost crude black lines. It’s not about precision, it’s about capturing the essence of a boat, its weight and form. The marks are confident, like Hinnebusch knew exactly what he wanted to say. This piece reminds me a bit of some of Marsden Hartley's more abstract works, the way he used color and form to convey emotion. It's like they’re both tapping into something primal, something beyond the surface. I like this feeling of ambiguity.