Highway 1973

Alexander Calder painted "Highway" with gouache, and it's all about colour and shape, those things that make you feel zingy and alive! I imagine Calder, brush in hand, making those black lines, thinking of them as pathways or structures, and then letting those vibrant circles just bop around. The brushstrokes feel so confident, like he knew exactly where he was going, but also, like he was totally open to where the painting might lead him. That red wedge at the bottom, those zebra-like stripes, it’s like the painting is revving up, ready to zoom off somewhere! It makes me think about Miró and his playful, improvisational style. I bet Calder was looking at Miró, maybe they even hung out! Artists are always chatting to each other, even across time. Ultimately, painting is about embracing the unknown, trusting your gut, and just letting things happen. It's a messy, beautiful conversation.