Flowering Orchard, Spring 1902

Gustave Loiseau painted this flowering orchard scene, probably with oil on canvas. The way the paint is applied, in little dabs and strokes, makes me think about how artmaking is as much about the process as it is about the final image. Looking closely, you can see how Loiseau built up the texture with these tiny marks. The green of the grass, the white blossoms on the trees, and the blue of the sky, none of it is just one color. Instead, it's a mix of shades, creating a shimmering effect. See how the brushstrokes around the steeple create a soft, hazy effect? The paint isn’t too thick, but you can feel the surface of the canvas, like feeling the earth beneath your feet. Loiseau was a contemporary of the Impressionists, and you can see the influence of Monet in the way he captured light and color. But Loiseau has his own voice, his own way of seeing the world, and I think that makes his art so special. It’s like he's inviting us to slow down and really look.