Balboa Park 

John Michael Carter's painting of Balboa Park uses oil on what appears to be canvas to capture a sun-drenched scene. The composition employs a strong foreground element: an arched walkway that frames a father and daughter descending stairs. Carter's brushwork is visibly textured, lending a tactile quality to the architecture and foliage. Light and shadow play a crucial role, defining forms and creating depth, particularly in the shadows cast across the walkway. The color palette favors warm tones, with splashes of pink and blue that suggest a vibrant yet serene atmosphere. Structurally, the painting relies on repetition and symmetry to create a sense of order, which is then disrupted by the organic forms of nature and the asymmetrical placement of the figures. This interplay mirrors the dialogue between natural and constructed environments, inviting us to consider how these elements coexist and shape our experience of space.