Soho Dreams 1987

Helen Frankenthaler made this dreamy painting called 'Soho Dreams' with fluid strokes and a calming palette of lilac, brown and a hint of yellow. I can imagine Helen in her studio, maybe on a grey, rainy afternoon, swirling paint onto the canvas, letting it bleed and blend, creating a sense of depth. There's a certain softness to it, like a watercolour, but also a boldness in the way she lets the colours interact. It's not about perfection, but more about the process, the feeling, and the energy of the moment. The pale lilac seems to float on top of the brown, and the thin blue lines dance at the bottom, creating a sense of movement. It reminds me of a Rothko, but with a lighter touch, more playful. Frankenthaler, like many of us painters, was in constant conversation with the history of painting, pushing it forward while honouring the past. It’s like she's whispering, "Let's see what paint can do, let's explore the possibilities!"