A Fire in the Sky or the Black Cottage 2015

Alfred Freddy Krupa made "A Fire in the Sky or the Black Cottage" with oil on canvas. The artist lays down a bold, expressive scene with strokes that revel in the physicality of paint. I’m really drawn to how the blues and greens at the bottom bleed and blend, creating an immersive experience. The mark making here feels quick and instinctive, almost like the artist is trying to capture a fleeting moment. Up top, the strokes are dry and chalky. This contrast in textures reminds me that a painting is not just about what is represented, but how the paint itself is applied. The tree right in the center has this triangular mark that, in my mind, looks like an eye staring back. I wonder, is it a natural occurrence, or something the artist added intentionally? Either way, it is pretty neat to think about how one small detail can transform a whole piece. The way Krupa handles paint reminds me a little of Van Gogh, in that both artists embrace a certain roughness. It's this openness to the process that really gets me excited about painting.