This painting, Blocks and Balls (Block Series), oil/canvas 24" x 18" flirts with abstraction more than any other work in my Block Series. I painted it at the same time as Red Tower and both works share a certain economy of brushstrokes and a strong white background that contrasts sharply with the subject. However, Red Tower does convey a bare minimum of shadow and suggestion of a surface, whereas Blocks and Balls leaves its subject floating in air. There is a sculptural quality to this one that I like. Also, it amuses me to imagine blocks and balls actually stacking like that. My daughter would be so delighted if it were that easy to build a big tower!
