The Victor 2022

Lanise Howard made this painting, The Victor, sometime recently, with oil on canvas. What I notice first is the way the light shimmers on the figure’s skin, a masterful rendering of reflected light. This isn't just about surface appearance; it’s a way of building form through color. Look at the way the hands are painted, so carefully posed and rendered, as if they are holding something, or perhaps protecting something. The figure stands surrounded by lush, almost overgrown greenery, with a couple of hummingbirds darting about. The color palette is muted, but the greens and blues are so rich they almost vibrate. There’s a clear connection here to the work of Njideka Akunyili Crosby, who similarly combines figuration with lush, detailed environments to create intimate and complex portraits. In both artists' work, there's a sense of art as conversation, building on what's come before, but always with a new and personal voice.