Rowanberries (Mountain Ash), Algoma 1922

J.E.H MacDonald’s painting "Rowanberries (Mountain Ash), Algoma" is made with the kind of brushstrokes that feel like they're building something solid, like bricks of color. It’s all about how the paint sits on the surface, making you think about the process of making art. Look closely, and you’ll notice how MacDonald uses color to create a sense of depth and texture. There are moments of dark green, red and orange, but it’s the yellow highlights that catch your eye. See the top of the painting, where he’s dabbed these little dots of yellow like the sun is trying to peek through the branches? It's so satisfying, the way he’s built up this little world with just paint and color. It reminds me of Cezanne, who was also obsessed with building form with color. Like, it's not just a painting, it’s a conversation with painting itself.