In 1st Steps, Gregory Kitterle’s use of fresco adds a tangible depth to the composition, where irregular surfaces and textures become central to the narrative. The scene, awash in muted grays and blacks, is punctuated by shafts of yellow light that create a stark contrast, seemingly illuminating a dark, mysterious space. The fragmented shapes, blotches, and scratches that run through the painting are emblematic of Kitterle’s process, where surface imperfections become "specters" telling their own tale. The central bowl-like form, partially illuminated, seems to hover in a liminal space, perhaps symbolizing the beginnings of a journey or experiment.
The fresco technique, known for its association with permanence and history, ties into Kitterle’s exploration of surface as a record of time. The yellow light beams evoke a sense of revelation, as if they are unearthing stories hidden within the layered material. This blend of abstract forms and haunting suggestions of a laboratory or alchemical space connects to the artist's labyrinthine journey through surface, where each irregularity is both a guide and a barrier to understanding.
Kitterle’s “conversation with specters” is evident in the way the painting shifts between clarity and obscurity, much like a fleeting memory or an experience partially forgotten. The spectral light seems to guide the viewer through this "labyrinth," hinting at deeper, possibly hidden meanings, while still keeping much of its mystery intact. 1st Steps feels like an initiation into Kitterle’s complex world, where surfaces not only tell a story but demand close attention to every crack and shadow.
