After Sunset, Georgian Bay 1931

J.E.H. MacDonald made this oil painting, "After Sunset, Georgian Bay," with an intense, dark palette and visible brushstrokes. The artist's hand is really evident. It's all about the process, isn't it? The texture is built up with thick, opaque paint, creating a surface that feels almost sculptural. Look at how MacDonald uses short, choppy strokes to depict the waves. The physicality of the paint makes the water feel alive, almost turbulent, as if we can feel the wind and the cool spray. Notice that lone tree. It's just a few dark lines and stabs of paint, but it totally embodies the raw energy of the Canadian landscape. MacDonald's work reminds me a bit of Van Gogh, in terms of the expressive brushwork and emotional intensity. These artists show us that painting isn't just about representation, but about feeling and experiencing the world around us.