bs-aaw-BruceKing-ReflectiveWaters Bruce King

The artwork presents a landscape dominated by water and a procession of horses moving through it. The composition is divided into distinct horizontal bands: a dark, heavily textured foreground; a body of water reflecting the sky and distant mountains; and a dramatic, swirling sky punctuated by mountainous forms.
In the foreground, several slender trees with pale bark rise from a bank rendered in thick impasto. A group of horses, depicted in varying shades of brown, black, and white, wade through the water towards the viewer. Their forms are somewhat stylized, lacking precise anatomical detail, which contributes to an overall sense of dreamlike quality. The artist has used brushstrokes to suggest movement and texture within both the animals’ coats and the surrounding foliage.
The central band is defined by the expanse of water, its surface acting as a mirror for the sky above. This reflective quality creates a visual doubling effect, blurring the distinction between earth and heavens. The mountains in the background are rendered with broad strokes of blue, purple, pink, and white, conveying a sense of vastness and atmospheric perspective. Their jagged peaks contribute to the dynamic energy of the scene.
The sky itself is a vortex of color, suggesting turbulent weather or perhaps an otherworldly atmosphere. Swirls of pink, lavender, and white blend with darker blues and purples, creating a visually arresting effect. The artist’s use of color here evokes feelings of both awe and unease.
Subtly, the painting suggests themes of transition and liminality. The horses passage through water implies a journey or crossing over into an unknown realm. The reflective surface of the water could symbolize introspection or the blurring of boundaries between reality and perception. The overall effect is one of quiet drama, inviting contemplation on the relationship between nature, spirituality, and the human experience.