Tom Savage describes his work process on this painting: "Finishing this painting was most certainly a 'Crowning Point'. I started this painting and continued to work on it on and off for a couple of years. It weighs a ton because of all of the paint on the surface. I worked on it, stared at it, let it sit for weeks, ignored it, denied that I had anything to do with it, went back into it and reworked it a number of times and came dangerously close to tossing it in the dumpster. In the words of my late painting instructor and friend, David LeDoux, 'I went to the matt' with this one."

In this painting, Savage was working through a transition in the direction of his work. If one looks with a discerning eye, the atmospheric space of the mid to late 80's is faint, but clearly evident even through layers of paint. The bold, aggressive forms present in the paintings of the early 80's appear in a quieter, more understated way. The heavy handed brush work from that same period is used judiciously with purpose. Drawing and drawn elements push through to the forefront in this painting. Drawing is a major pictorial player and a presentiment of paintings to come. This painting is certainly true to the courage and resolve of European Automatism and Abstract Expressionism which the artist himself admits influence. 

To view slide show with additional images, click here.