Genesis The Foretelling of Eve to Adam by God 2014

Joe Machine made this painting called Genesis, the Foretelling of Eve to Adam by God, and in it, the paint has this determined, matter-of-fact quality, like he's just laying it down, no messing. I see that thick blue robe on God and it makes me think about storytelling, and the way that myths and legends are built up over time. Look at how the artist has layered the paint, those stripes like tiers of meaning. It's as though he's enacting the creation of the story itself, mark by mark. And there's that apple. I love the way it just sits there, this small, potent object. It's like the whole narrative hangs on this one, juicy detail. It reminds me of Stanley Spencer, with his direct approach and almost visionary take on the everyday. Art is a conversation, you know? It's about looking, responding, and finding your own way to tell the story.