Cosmic Being 2006

Jack Armstrong made Cosmic Being with oil paint, though we don't know exactly when. The way the paint is applied here, it's all about the doing, the layering and dripping and splattering. It feels like a record of the artist's movements and decisions, each mark a trace of energy. Looking at the surface, you can almost feel the texture—thick, gloppy paint in some areas, thin washes in others. It's a wild mix of colors, yellow, red, pink, blue, all fighting for attention. I am drawn to the splatters of the pink paint as it contrasts against the thick swathes of yellow. I like how it all comes together to create this frenetic, almost chaotic energy. It reminds me a little of Pollock, but with a neon, pop art edge. Like he's taking those abstract expressionist ideas and pushing them into a new, more vibrant direction. But ultimately, it's its own thing, a cosmic explosion of color and movement that invites you to get lost in its depths. The beauty of art lies in the conversations it sparks across time and artists.