Girl from California I 1919

Helene Schjerfbeck made this painting, Girl from California I, with oil on canvas, and it's like she's figuring things out as she goes. I love that! The paint has a cool, grainy texture like it's been scrubbed on, especially in the background. And the colors? They’re earthy, but with this golden glow on the face that catches the light. It's not about perfection; it's about feeling. Look at the mouth, it is just a few strokes of dark red, somehow they convey this sense of depth and expression. You can almost feel the weight of her gaze. Schjerfbeck reminds me of Agnes Martin, actually, both artists who understood that a painting could be a space for quiet contemplation. There's no right or wrong way to look at this piece, it’s just about letting it sink in and letting your mind wander.