Skyhawk, No.I 1965

Benton Spruance made this painting, Skyhawk, No.I, using what looks like gouache, maybe watercolor. The palette is muted, almost monochrome, as if the artist has desaturated the colors to emphasize the dynamic interplay of light and shadow. Imagine Spruance at work, layering translucent washes to build up the forms of the skyhawk, each stroke a delicate dance between control and chance. Those marks aren’t quite descriptive, but do seem to capture the bird’s spirit. What was Spruance thinking as he created it? The texture feels smooth, with delicate gradients suggesting a subtle materiality. The light appears to emanate from within the painting, casting soft glows and highlights on the bird's feathers. The brushwork feels energetic, conveying a sense of movement and vitality. I think of other artists like Franz Marc who were so fascinated by animals. The gesture of the outstretched wing communicates a sense of flight, freedom, and boundless possibility. Spruance probably felt a deep connection to nature, and was interested in the symbolic potential of animals. All painters, really all artists, are in an ongoing conversation. So many ways of seeing, thinking and experiencing, so little time.