Fishing Shacks 

Dan Graziano painted "Fishing Shacks" with oil on board, and right away you notice how the composition, dominated by angular forms of the buildings against a bright sky, evokes a sense of stark simplicity. The buildings are rendered in muted greys and whites, the brushwork is visible and the application of paint is direct. The colours create a contemplative mood. Graziano's focus on shape, form, and colour creates a visual language to interpret the scene. What is interesting is how the shapes create structure. The sky, and the positioning of the fishing shacks – the buildings are not merely representational but contribute to the painting's formal qualities. This structural approach aligns with modernist principles, where the artwork's intrinsic elements take precedence. The visible brushstrokes contribute to an understanding of the artist's choices, and it encourages a deeper look.