Lady Reading 1988

Maria Bozoky painted this 'Lady Reading', probably with gouache, and maybe some ink on paper; the dimensions being 36 by 23 cm. There's something about the raw directness of her brushwork, the way the paint seems applied in layers, unsure but confident, that feels emotionally honest. The earthy palette and loose, expressive lines create a sense of intimacy. Look at the dark, swirling brushstrokes that define her clothes and hair, contrasted with the pale, almost luminous face. It's like a conversation between light and shadow, presence and absence. Those purple swirls, might they be flowers? Or just the artist playing, like music, across the form. Bozoky’s approach feels very personal. I think of outsider artists like Madge Gill and her automatic drawings. Both embrace the intuitive, the uncontrolled, the kind of mark-making that bypasses the rational mind. It’s a reminder that art isn't always about answers; sometimes, it's about embracing the mystery.