fifteen 2014

Aaron Nagel painted "fifteen" with oil, and you can see how his brushwork builds up the form. It's like he's sculpting with color, laying down strokes that define the light and shadow on the face. The paint here is smooth, almost creamy, allowing Nagel to blend the colors seamlessly. I like to zoom in and look at the rendering of the hair, which seems to absorb all light. But what really gets me is the gaze. Those eyes feel like they're looking right through you. And the way he captures the subtle shift in color on the cheekbones, that's true skill. I'm reminded of Lucien Freud, though Nagel brings something all his own to the party. Art is a conversation, right? Each artist adding their voice, their perspective, to the mix.