Variation before 1921

Alexej von Jawlensky made this painting, 'Variation,' with oil on canvas using a juicy and clashing palette that feels both strange and kind of right. I like to think about artmaking as a process; in this case, it feels like a balancing act between planning and letting the paint do its thing. The surface is alive with visible brushstrokes, each one a deliberate mark that builds up the image. Look at that stroke of dark blue right at the bottom. It’s almost like a shadow, grounding the whole composition. The colors are laid on thick, not quite opaque, but dense, creating a tactile quality that invites you to reach out and touch it. The painting feels almost sculptural, like a relief. Jawlensky's work reminds me of Hilma af Klint, both artists used abstract forms to express unseen forces. Ultimately, art is about exploring possibilities and embracing the unknown.