The Difference Between II 2005

Basil Beattie made 'The Difference Between II' with luscious grey-blue oil paint, and contrasting brown and silver hues. I can just imagine him, brush in hand, building up this image, layer upon layer. First, laying down the background, then constructing that imposing staircase and adjacent structure with contrasting colours and thick, gestural strokes, the painting slowly emerging through trial, error, and intuition. What was he thinking as he painted? Look at the texture, how the paint is built up, thick in some places, thin in others. Notice how the dripping paint around the steps seems like they’ve seen better days! Then there’s that silver structure, or some kind of strange ladder. I’m so curious to see what those things are and how they relate to the steps. It makes me think about Brice Marden’s paintings of ladders. I wonder if Basil was thinking about him too? I’m sure they were inspiring each other’s creativity.