The Realm of things, the Realm of KnowledgeThere is a difference between the realm of things and the realm of knowledge. This is the subject of philosophers, not painters, but as we…May 7, 2021May 7, 2021
The mystery of others, and the struggle to communicate; what little we know, we know poorlyOur judgments concerning the worth of things, big or little, depends on the feelings the things arouse in us.Apr 12, 2021Apr 12, 2021
On ReceptivenessI recently went to an artist’s talk, given by a youngster who had had some recent success, both commercial and critical, for his work…May 22, 2019May 22, 2019
When is a Painting FinishedWhat an odd thing. A painting is not finished when it is finished to look like something. Not until the painting can speak with its own…Jul 30, 2018Jul 30, 2018
Paying Attention, and the Path of PaintingLast year I was given a residency in a small village in southern France. I painted morning and night (and if you want to see what prompted…Mar 1, 2018Mar 1, 2018
Transmission, Interpretation, TransgressionA text, once written, no longer has anyone behind it; it has, on the contrary, when it survives, and for as long as it survives, thousands…Jul 1, 2017Jul 1, 2017
Autobiography in ArtNot the obvious, then. That is, Velasquez peeking coyly from Las Meninas, or Rembrandt’s absolutely gorgeous self-portraits, from youth…Apr 4, 2017Apr 4, 2017
Depth in PaintingWhat we mean is not, clearly, a third physical dimension. Nor, necessarily, the pleasant falsities of perspective. Instead, depth in…Mar 4, 2017Mar 4, 2017
