Traveling Companions 

Melissa Hefferlin made "Traveling Companions" using oil paint. The choice of oil paint is significant, as it has traditionally been a medium for creating enduring and detailed artworks. Here, the artist applies the paint in a mosaic-like fashion, with dabs of color creating a fractured effect. The paint itself has a substantial body, and texture is applied through visible brushstrokes. This is not illusionism. It’s more like a tapestry of color, where the material qualities of the paint take center stage. The process gives the artwork a unique character, somewhere between representation and abstraction. This is not a spontaneous painting; it’s more of a constructive process, adding piece by piece to make a whole. Ultimately, in considering the painting's medium, making, and context, we come to appreciate the artist's intention, challenging traditional assumptions around artistry and craftsmanship.