For Thirteen (SFS-335) 1989

Sam Francis made this painting, For Thirteen (SFS-335), with what looks like acrylic on canvas. The painting has this splattered effect, with the colors all mixed up and drippy. I love the way Francis just let the paint do its thing. Looking closely, you can see how he used different tools to apply the paint, maybe brushes, maybe something else entirely! The red shape in the top left looks almost like a splattered mask. The paint is thin in some places, thick in others, creating a real sense of depth and texture. The splatters and drips remind me of Jackson Pollock, but with a brighter, more playful energy. It's like Francis took the idea of action painting and gave it a California twist. It makes you think about the endless possibilities of art-making, doesn’t it?