Untitled c. 1969

This is a landscape drawing made by George Bunker, maybe in the middle of the 20th century. Look at how the forms are built through layers of gestural marks. I imagine Bunker standing right there, trying to catch the scene with charcoal on paper. I wonder what it was like for him, deciding where to put each line? Did he start with the big shapes and then add the details? Or did he let the lines build up gradually, like a conversation? It reminds me of some of Guston’s nervous landscapes, the way the charcoal hatches create a vibrant atmosphere. I really like the confidence of each stroke and the way that nothing is precious or overworked. The marks make me think of a kind of shorthand – each line representing a tree, a building, or a shadow. Painters are always in conversation with one another, across time. I'm glad Bunker made this drawing. It reminds me to embrace the process, let the marks lead, and trust the journey.