Two Very Close Friends 

Milt Kobayashi’s “Two Very Close Friends” presents an intimate scene, created with oil paints on what appears to be canvas. The texture of the painting is quite apparent, with thick brushstrokes suggesting a rapid and expressive application of paint. This visible process is a key element of the work, contributing to the image’s immediacy. We are given a snapshot, almost, of two women in what seems like a bar or cafe, each lost in her thoughts. Kobayashi's approach to painting blends traditional techniques with a modern sensibility. The loose brushwork and somewhat muted palette evoke Impressionist paintings, yet the overall effect feels decidedly contemporary. There's a raw quality here, a directness in the handling of the material that invites us to consider the artist’s hand in the work and the social context in which it exists. Ultimately, appreciating the material and process of "Two Very Close Friends" enriches our experience of the artwork, inviting us to think about the blend of skill, intention, and circumstance that brought it into being.