Mystery Box

As though the sea and sky are in conversation, this painting invites the viewer into a meditative stillness while simultaneously celebrating the kinetic energy of the world.

MYSTERY BOX

Both powerful and serene—a moment of awe in nature.

Mystery Box flows with circular, wave-like motion—every cloud and wave has a pulse, a movement, a sense of life. Cool and warm tones are balanced masterfully, with the coolness of the sea and sky offset by the radiant warmth of the light breaking through.

The sky dominates the upper half of the composition with dramatic, rolling clouds in deep indigos, purples, and steel blues, punctuated by glowing streaks of golden-orange light. The interplay of dark and light creates a radiant central axis—like a path of illumination descending from the sky to the sea.

A crisp, narrow band of light—likely the sun—sits just above or at the horizon line in Mystery Box, serving as the source of the golden light that fractures through the sky and reflects across the water.

The sea shimmers with dynamic, undulating brushstrokes in hues of teal, navy, and lavender, reflecting the light in jewel-like spots across the surface. Within Mystery Box, highlights of yellow, peach, and soft blues suggest the reflection of the glowing sky above.

In the lower section, stylized waves curl toward the shore, with one spiral-like swirl near the bottom left—adding a sense of movement and almost a symbolic or playful gesture. The sandy beach is rendered in swirling, earthy tones of sienna and umber, giving Mystery Box texture and warmth.

The Monarch Princess, Repainted

PLEIN AIR PAINTING | JANUARY 2024

(Sold)

DIRECTOR’S CHOICE “Vanishing Grove #61” by Mary Lou Mullan

When the Backus Museum engages three independent judges to select works for our annual juried exhibition, they have an intensive and immersive day filled with discoveries, debates, and decisions. Once they complete their hard work, I get to exercise a distinct honor by selecting one entry as the Director’s Choice.

The title of this gem is rich in history and meaning. The painting represents the artist’s 61st depiction of a grove scene from a local Florida landscape that was once a thriving center for citrus. But today, the existing groves are only a pale shadow of their former glory, all but vanished from the landscape. Mullan feels a special connection to this subject and its discordant absence from her present, painting her vivid memories of a vibrant past in beautiful shapes and tones.

This representational but almost magical interpretation of the natural world has beautiful echoes of master artists of the past, in harmony with Vincent van Gogh and Charles Burchfield. And the composition is notable as well. Mullan made a special effort to structure the negative spaces between the branches and the trees, forming an arrangement that allows the positive spaces to interlock and pop. Finally, and something you’ll have to appreciate in person, there is an almost funky contrast in this modernist-inflected scene with a fabulously intricate Old World frame. It is a definite counterpoint, but to me it does not overpower – it is a deftly-handled presentation choice that only a strong painting like this could carry. Another reason to behold this work of art and the others in person!

Between now and November 10, visitors to “The Best of the Best” can vote for their distinct favorite work among the 61 in this year’s exhibition. The one with the most votes at the conclusion of the exhibition will receive the 2023 People’s Choice award. Thank you to all of the artists who shared their best this year.

– J. Marshall Adams, Backus Museum Executive Director