Roos 1934 - 1936

This quick drawing of a rose was made by Leo Gestel with pen and ink. It’s all about the process of looking, and then immediately laying down the mark, isn’t it? I’m drawn to the stark contrast of the black ink against the white paper. Gestel's bold, unwavering lines describe the rose, but they also flatten it. Each petal is defined by these decisive strokes, almost like he's carving out the form. Notice how some lines are thick, assertive, while others are thin and delicate, like whispers. There’s a beautiful economy to it; he captures the essence of the rose with this incredible efficiency, refusing to fuss over details. This reminds me of Matisse, his line drawings in particular. Both artists share this love for the simplicity of line, and its capacity to express so much with so little. Art isn’t about answers, it's about exploring and asking questions.