Atlanta and Savannah 1988

Glennray Tutor made this painting, "Atlanta and Savannah," with oil paint and a hefty dose of realism, giving these rag dolls a surprisingly vibrant presence. I imagine Tutor carefully building up layers, almost like he’s sculpting with paint. There's something about the way he’s captured the textures—the rough fabric of the dolls, the delicate lace on their dresses, the cool metal of the chair—that makes me think about my own process. How do we translate the world into marks, into color, into something that resonates with feeling? The warm, earthy tones and the way light glances off the surfaces give the piece a nostalgic feel. It reminds me of other painters who find beauty in the everyday, like Fairfield Porter, but with an extra layer of hyperrealism. By giving humble dolls a kind of elevated treatment, I think Tutor asks us to pause and reconsider the beauty of the ordinary. After all, artists are in an ongoing conversation, exchanging ideas and inspiring creativity.