Breach 2009

G. Daniel Massad made "Breach," using color pastel to create a world of muted tones and hushed stillness. It's like he's inviting us to slow down, breathe deep, and really look. There’s something so tender in the way Massad builds up his surfaces. Up close, you can almost feel the powdery texture of the pastels, each layer pressed and blended with care. The leaves are individual characters, each with their own story of decay. Notice the light catching the corner of the block in the foreground. It’s not about perfection; it’s about capturing a feeling, an atmosphere. This reminds me of Vija Celmins' drawings – a similar dedication to rendering the quiet details that often go unnoticed. Both artists invite us to find beauty in the understated, embracing ambiguity and resisting the urge to tie everything up in a neat little bow.