The Good Traveler 2006

Bo Bartlett, born in 1955, made this painting, The Good Traveler, with oil paint, layering colours to give the scene a cinematic quality. I can only imagine the process of creating this picture. I wonder, did Bo drive around in his car, thinking about this scene? In this painting, a couple is on a road trip. The woman is driving and looking at a map, while the man stares out at the viewer. They look as though they are lost in their own world. This scene makes me think about traveling and the desire to escape. The painting captures the feeling of isolation that can come with being on the road, but also the hope that you might find something new. This kind of picture makes me think about how artists are always in conversation with one another.