So Lush, So Deadly, paperback cover 1970

Robert McGinnis made this paperback cover with luscious, energetic brushstrokes in shades of green, blue, and lavender. I imagine him stepping back, squinting, then lunging in to lay down another expressive mark. What was he thinking when he made this? Maybe he was trying to capture the essence of a moment, a mood, a feeling. See how the paint is applied in thin layers, almost like watercolor, allowing the surface to breathe. I love how the background is so gestural, loose and undefined. It's as if he's inviting us to fill in the blanks, to imagine our own narrative. I can see connections to Alex Katz, another artist known for his elegant and economical portrayals of figures. But McGinnis has a grittier edge, a kind of pulp sensibility that sets him apart. It’s this ongoing conversation, this exchange of ideas across time, that keeps painting fresh, alive, and full of surprises. Painting is a place of inquiry for both the artist and the viewer.