Cowboy Heaven and Hell 1980

Don Ivan Punchatz painted 'Cowboy Heaven and Hell' with what looks like oil paint, and, oh boy, it’s a trip. There's this loose, flowing quality to the paint, especially in the way the colours blend, like in the fiery depths below and the ethereal skies above, which really lets your eye wander and wonder. It’s pretty clear Punchatz wasn’t trying to hide the brushstrokes or smooth everything over; he was all about letting the paint do its thing. Take a look at how the horse seems to be made of clouds, all soft edges and hazy light. That bit alone feels like a dream. He doesn't shy away from a bit of absurdity, and it reminds me of artists like Philip Guston, who weren’t afraid to mix high and low, the serious and the silly, in their work.