Tree Calligraphy No.2 2004

Jeremy Henderson made "Tree Calligraphy No.2" with paint, maybe even charcoal, but definitely a lot of feeling and freedom. Look at how the stark blacks and greys mix, almost like a storm brewing on the canvas, the tree itself a bold stroke against the muted chaos. I wonder what Henderson was thinking, standing before this large canvas. Did he feel like he was wrestling with the elements? It's like the tree isn't just standing there; it's reaching, fighting for its place. The paint isn't precious; it's drippy and raw. You see how the lines smear? It’s like he’s trying to capture not just the look of a tree, but its soul, its struggle. And those almost scribbled lines above, are they words, a song, or just the wind whispering through the branches? Henderson, like many of us painters, is in conversation with artists across time, taking inspiration, pushing back, always exploring. It's like the painting is a place of uncertainty where feeling is more important than knowing.