Horses 2015

Bernd Luz made "Horses" with what looks like quick, intuitive strokes and a warm, earthy palette. It's a dance of color and form, capturing the energy of these majestic animals. The texture in this piece is really something; you can almost feel the energy of the brushstrokes, thick in some places, thin in others. Luz doesn't shy away from the physicality of the medium, and that's what makes it so alive. Look at the way the light catches the edge of the rearing horse, the way the colour almost vibrates. It's as if Luz is trying to capture the feeling of horses, not just their image. This approach reminds me a little of Franz Marc, who used animals as a way to explore ideas of spirit and vitality, although Luz brings his own contemporary twist to it. For me, painting is always about this kind of ongoing conversation, and Luz adds his own, unique voice.