Base of Falls 1989

Neil Welliver made this painting, Base of Falls, and gosh, it's a big one! Welliver’s paintings are like puzzles of color and tone. He builds up the image with these square-ish brushstrokes that somehow create a scene that you can practically feel. Look how he handles the water. He doesn’t try to trick you with illusion, it’s more like he’s mapping the movement. Each stroke is a decision, a mark that says, “This is how I see this moment.” And those rocks! They're solid, heavy, but also kind of soft because of the way he blends the colors. The colors aren't quite real, they're heightened and intensified to capture the scene. It's like the whole painting vibrates with the energy of the falls. Welliver reminds me a little of Fairfield Porter, another painter who found endless fascination in their surroundings. Both artists teach us that there is a lot to be seen in what looks like nothing. It is all about embracing process, embracing ambiguity, and finding new ways to see the world.