Untitled (SFP94-133, SFF.1803) 1994

Sam Francis made this untitled painting with acrylic and mixed media on canvas, probably sometime in the early 90s. Look at the way the red stain bleeds out, almost like a Rorschach test. It’s all about process here, the way the paint moves and interacts. I love the physicality of the medium in this piece, the way the colors interact and create this layered, almost chaotic composition. See how the red dominates, yet there are these playful blues and blacks peeking through. Notice those little white squares scattered around the canvas, each one holding its own delicate scribbles. They seem to dance across the surface, adding a sense of rhythm and movement. It's like he's inviting us to witness the raw energy of creation. Francis reminds me a bit of Joan Mitchell, another artist who wasn't afraid to let loose with color and form. Both embrace ambiguity, leaving room for our own interpretations and emotional responses.