Van’s Dominoe 1999

Melissa Meyer made this painting, Van’s Dominoe, with layers of brushstrokes and a warm yet playful palette. Imagine the studio, her standing there, brush in hand, making marks, editing, responding. There is a sense of improvisation, like the way the blues and greens dance together, weaving in and out of the earthy browns and oranges. The paint looks applied in rhythmic gestures, echoing and answering to the ones around them. Each stroke, each color choice, feels like a response to the last, a domino effect of creative decisions. The texture seems juicy, thick in some spots, thinner in others, adding depth. I bet she was thinking about other artists who’ve grappled with the joy of the grid, from Agnes Martin to Ree Morton. It is like a game of visual call and response, a conversation across time, that feels very alive.