Melissa 2013

Robert McGinnis made this painting of Melissa sometime in the 20th century, using, what looks like, delicate watercolor or gouache. It's all about how the soft palette can create a dreamlike space. The way McGinnis handles the paint is interesting, isn’t it? Everything feels light and airy, like it could float away at any moment. See how he uses these almost translucent washes of color? It’s as if he’s trying to capture the feeling of light itself. The pale pink scarf that Melissa is holding is a great example of this. It's like he's barely touched the paper, but somehow he's managed to create this sense of movement and softness. This kind of delicate touch reminds me a little of the work of someone like Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, although McGinnis has a style all his own, more loose and pulpy. Ultimately, what I find so compelling about this painting is the way it embraces ambiguity. It's a reminder that art isn't about providing easy answers, but about inviting us to ask questions and to see the world in new and unexpected ways.