Father Wan 

Joshua LaRock painted "Father Wan" using oil paint on canvas. The oil paint is applied with soft edges, creating a realistic but gentle image. LaRock’s painterly approach is rooted in a long tradition, of European figurative painting. It’s a highly skilled tradition, requiring years of training. The canvas is prepared with layers of gesso, carefully stretched to create a taut surface. The artist then applies thin layers of paint, building up the image gradually, blending colors and tones to create the illusion of depth and form. This is an example of the academic tradition of painting, and as such can be critiqued for its adherence to established social norms. But, it’s hard not to admire the artist’s mastery of materials and techniques. It challenges us to consider the value of skill and craft in our own time.