Water Bearers #3

Painted in 1987, this untitled oil on canvas painting by Billy Schenck vividly exemplifies his signature flat-style approach. The scene features two women carrying water pots on their heads as they traverse a stark yet vibrant landscape. A chartreuse sky hovers above a horizon of taupe and dusty orange bluffs, punctuated by the spiked silhouettes of desert foliage. In the foreground, the women walk along a black-shaded bank beside a turquoise body of water, their figures mirrored therein. Their sashes and water pots, and the tops of nearby brush, stand out in the composition, highlighted by an unseen sun. This captivating piece showcases Schenck's enduring mastery of composition, color, and form, making it an appreciated treasure.