Michael Beare - Second Wind

Michael Beare

Second Wind

Introductory comments

This abstract painting, titled "Second Wind," utilizes a vibrant, bold color palette and a dynamic interplay of geometric shapes and forms to create a visually striking and evocative composition. The dominant use of primary colors, such as red, blue, and yellow, along with complementary hues of green and purple, establishes a strong sense of visual harmony and unity throughout the work.

The painting is characterized by a striking contrast between the hard-edged, angular shapes and the softer, organic forms that create a sense of movement and rhythm. The varying sizes and orientations of the geometric shapes, such as rectangles, triangles, and irregular polygons, contribute to a sense of visual tension and dynamism, drawing the viewer's eye throughout the canvas.

The use of overlapping and intersecting forms, combined with the strategic placement of lighter and darker tones, creates a sense of depth and spatial complexity within the two-dimensional plane. This interaction of shapes, forms, and values gives the painting a sense of depth and dimensionality, evoking a sense of energy and motion.

The overall composition exhibits a careful balance between symmetry and asymmetry, with certain elements and arrangements creating a sense of visual harmony, while others introduce an element of surprise and disruption. This interplay between order and chaos, stability and instability, contributes to the painting's ability to convey a sense of vitality and resilience, reflecting the idea of "second wind" that the title suggests.

In summary, this abstract painting masterfully integrates the visual elements of line, shape, form, value, color, and texture to create a dynamic and visually compelling work that communicates a sense of energy, movement, and resilience through the thoughtful application of design principles such as unity, contrast, balance, and rhythm.

Michael Beare

Second Wind

Formal Analysis 

Line: The painting is dominated by bold, angular lines that intersect and converge to create a sense of dynamism and energy. The lines vary in thickness and direction, creating a rhythmic, kinetic quality to the overall composition.

Shape: The primary shapes featured in the painting are geometric, with a predominance of rectangles, triangles, and irregular polygons. These shapes are arranged in a complex, overlapping manner, creating a sense of depth and visual tension.

Form: The three-dimensional illusion of form is achieved through the interplay of overlapping shapes, the use of contrasting values, and the suggestion of volume and depth. While the forms remain largely abstract, there is a sense of sculptural quality to the overall composition.

Color: The painting utilizes a vibrant, high-contrast color palette, featuring primary colors such as red, blue, and yellow, along with complementary hues of green and purple. The bold, saturated colors contribute to the painting's sense of energy and dynamism.

Value: The painting demonstrates a range of values, from the darkest blacks to the lightest tones of yellow and white. The strategic use of value creates a sense of depth and volume, as well as highlights the interplay between the various shapes and forms.

Texture: The surface of the painting appears to be relatively flat, with minimal surface texture. The focus is on the interaction of the shapes, forms, and colors, rather than the tactile quality of the paint itself.

Composition: The overall composition is characterized by a sense of balance and symmetry, with the various shapes and forms arranged in a visually harmonious manner. However, this sense of order is juxtaposed with an underlying tension and dynamism created by the overlapping forms and the directional flow of the lines.

In conclusion, the formal analysis of "Second Wind" reveals a painting that is characterized by a powerful interplay of visual elements, creating a sense of energy, movement, and resilience. The bold, geometric shapes, the vibrant color palette, and the rhythmic, kinetic quality of the composition contribute to the painting's ability to convey a sense of vitality and endurance.