The Lark 1960

Hans Hofmann made this abstract oil painting, The Lark, with an intuitive eye for color. You can almost feel the energy of the brushstrokes, the way he layered the paint thick in some areas and left it thin in others, letting the canvas peek through. There’s this one swooping black line in the upper right corner, like a calligraphic gesture. It dances against the warm orange background. The way he lets the paint drip and pool, it's like he’s letting the painting happen, not forcing it. Hofmann, like Joan Mitchell, was all about letting the paint do its thing. He knew how to balance control and chance. It reminds us that art is not just about representation; it’s about the sheer joy of making and seeing. It’s about the conversation between the artist, the materials, and us.