Musicians 2003

Dmytro Kavsan captured these Musicians with thick strokes of oil paint. The warm yellows and reds contrast with the cool greens and blues, and the figures emerge through the layered brushwork. I can imagine Kavsan building this painting, adding layer upon layer, figuring it out as he went along. There's a real sympathy here. I think he enjoyed the company of these musicians. Look at the way he modeled the hands holding the trumpet and drums: the gestures are so lively, you can almost hear the music! The paint is applied so thickly, it gives the surface a tactile quality, like you could reach out and touch the scene. For me, this painting brings to mind other artists, like Marsden Hartley, who also explored the relationship between color, form, and emotion. Ultimately, I think this piece reminds us that artists are always in conversation with one another. Painting is an ongoing exchange of ideas across time, inspiring creativity and new ways of seeing.