Treetops against Sky 1909 - 1913

John Singer Sargent made this watercolor sketch, Treetops against Sky, with loose, washy marks in muted blues and browns. It makes me think about being outside, trying to capture that feeling of looking up into the sky through the trees, but it's not as easy as it looks. I bet Sargent stood there, squinting, brush in hand, trying to get the light just right, feeling the breeze. The way he layered the washes, it’s like he's searching for the right way to express that fleeting moment when the branches reach up. It's like he's in a conversation with the sky, the trees, and himself, trying to figure out what it all means, one brushstroke at a time. Painters like Sargent inspire me because they show how painting can be a way to explore, to question, and to keep the conversation going across time. They remind us that art isn't about answers; it's about the ongoing dialogue.