FlowTwo 2009

This is "FlowTwo" by Charles Gibbons, and looking at the way it’s made, you just know it’s a process. It’s a painting about painting, using colours that seem to bleed and blend, almost fighting for space. The surface is all about the flow, the give and take of the medium. See how the paint is thin, almost translucent in places, allowing the colors underneath to peek through, creating depth and a sense of movement. Notice that splattering of red across the middle? It’s like a sudden outburst, a moment of unplanned energy that enlivens the whole piece. It stops the eye from settling, and keeps things dynamic. The way Gibbons handles the paint reminds me of Helen Frankenthaler's soak-stain technique, where color becomes one with the canvas. It’s about letting go and embracing the unpredictable nature of the materials, letting the painting almost paint itself. It's a conversation, an ongoing exchange between artist and medium.