Desert Pass 1976

Helen Frankenthaler made Desert Pass with oils, using a soak-stain method that she was known for. Frankenthaler poured thinned paint onto unprimed canvas, letting it seep into the fabric. Look closely, and you can see how the colors blend and bleed into each other. The paint isn't just on the surface, it's part of the canvas itself. This technique emphasizes the flatness of the picture plane, creating a sense of depth through color rather than traditional perspective. I love how she makes this all look so easy, like she's just letting the paint do its thing! That horizontal band of reddish-brown really anchors the whole composition. It’s kind of like a horizon line, but it's also just a big, juicy swipe of color. The way the paint pools and drips gives it a real sense of movement and energy, a sense of controlled accident, so cool. I think of Joan Mitchell looking at this, both so adept at the ‘pour’. It’s a constant conversation between artists over time.