Long Distance 1933

Haddon Hubbard Sundblom made “Long Distance” with oil paint, and it's a real romantic daydream, right? I can almost feel the warm sun on my face just looking at it. I bet Sundblom was totally into capturing that fleeting, dreamy feeling. See how the paint kind of melts together? It’s not about sharp edges, but more about suggesting the light, the mood, and the story. The blues and pinks are just gorgeous, and the way he dabs the paint gives it all this soft, hazy feeling. I can imagine him standing back, squinting, and then swooping in with his brush to capture the exact right moment. I love the little story it tells too, she's shielding her eyes but who is she looking at? And what does that mean? Painters are always looking at each other's work, borrowing and riffing off each other. This painting reminds me of other artists who want to show you how the world feels, not just how it looks. It’s a beautiful, fuzzy, and hopeful thing, like a sweet memory.