Topla Lavina 1987

Vangel Naumovski made this dreamy watercolour, Topla Lavina, in 1987. It’s a riot of pinks, yellows and greens, colours you find in nature but which together, evoke a feeling of something otherworldly. It’s a process, a pouring out, like a garden exploding. Looking closely, you can see the paint is applied in thick, wet strokes, almost like he’s squeezing the paint directly onto the page. In the upper left, the red and yellow bleed together, creating a sense of depth and texture. Each mark feels deliberate, yet the overall effect is fluid and organic. The texture is so rich, it’s like you could reach out and touch it. I think he probably used big soft brushes to get this effect. Naumovski’s approach reminds me a bit of Georgia O’Keefe, but with a wilder, more untamed spirit. Like O’Keefe, he’s interested in capturing the essence of nature, but he does it with a bold, almost reckless energy. Both artists invite us to see the world in new and unexpected ways.