Untitled 1979

This untitled piece by Gene Davis is a sunny exploration of color and form. The warm yellow ground feels like a starting point, a foundation for the dance of marks on top. Looking at the two upright green bars, it feels like Davis put them down quickly, confidently, maybe even using a palette knife. They give the piece structure but also contrast beautifully with the softer, more atmospheric yellow. It's a balance between control and letting go, which is what painting is all about, isn't it? And down at the bottom, a scattering of white dots, like confetti, or a field of wildflowers. This reminds me a bit of Joan Mitchell, in its playful approach to color and composition. Like Mitchell, Davis embraces the idea that a painting can be a space for exploration, a record of the artist's thinking and feeling. It’s not about perfection; it's about the joy of making.