In front of the mirror (Lusik)

Martiros Sarian drew this sketch, 'In Front of the Mirror (Lusik),' with what looks like a brown crayon in 1939. You know, sometimes art feels like trying to catch a thought, quick and messy, before it disappears. Here, Sarian’s lines dance on the paper, capturing a fleeting moment of intimacy. See how the lines around her hair are darker and more frantic, like he couldn’t quite grasp the shape fast enough? Then you have these decorative motifs of birds that adorn her dressing gown. They look hastily applied, as if they are an afterthought. The surface feels alive, full of starts and stops. The layering of lines create a feeling of volume and movement. Sarian’s loose, expressive style reminds me of Matisse, another artist who knew how to make simple lines sing. Both artists embrace the joy of mark-making, reminding us that art is often about the process, not just the final product.