Storm 1971

Claire Van Vliet made this print, "Storm," with an approach to mark-making that really grabs you. It's all about texture, using this dark palette to create a mood. You can almost feel the wind and the raw energy, right? Look closely, and you'll see how she builds up these areas of light and shadow. The scratchy lines in the foreground contrast with the softer, almost blurred effect in the sky. It's like she's letting the material itself speak. I think of Goya's dark works, or maybe even some of the more intense landscapes by Emil Nolde. But Van Vliet has her own voice, finding a way to make the chaos of a storm feel both frightening and beautiful. It reminds you that art doesn't always need to be neat or clear; sometimes, it's about capturing a feeling, a moment of pure, unbridled energy.