The Quay 2012

Bo Bartlett, born in 1955, made this painting, The Quay, with what looks like oil on canvas. The whole scene is drenched in these subdued, almost monochromatic tones. It’s like Bartlett is inviting us to look beyond the obvious and feel something deeper. Up close, you can see how the paint is applied in layers, creating a tangible sense of depth and texture. The brushstrokes are visible, especially in the water, giving it a lively, almost restless energy. I'm drawn to the way the light hits the water, that subtle, shimmery effect. It's as if the painting is alive and breathing, changing with the light and my perspective. It reminds me a little of Fairfield Porter, maybe because of the way he captures everyday scenes. Like Porter, Bartlett seems interested in those quiet moments, inviting us to pause and contemplate the beauty in the mundane. Art is about those ongoing conversations and exchanges of ideas across time, isn't it?