A moment of clarity 2021

Lanise Howard made this painting, A Moment of Clarity, sometime since 1993. It’s a scene of leisure, all soft peach and cream tones punctuated by the black stripes on the figure’s dress. The hand resting on her chest is rendered with such care and precision it almost feels like a separate painting. Up close, the painting yields more of its secrets. Notice the way the white of the couch isn’t just white – there are undertones of blue and grey, giving it depth and form. The peach of the wall is a comforting backdrop, smooth and unbroken, letting the figure take center stage. The leaves on the left are a great study in gesture, each stroke capturing the essence of tropical abundance. Howard’s work has a quiet intensity. It reminds me a little of Lois Dodd, who also finds the extraordinary in ordinary scenes. Ultimately, this painting invites us to slow down, to appreciate the beauty in stillness, and to find our own moments of clarity.