Bluejay - Virginia Cohn Parkum, C. 1980s

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Bluejay*
Virginia Cohn Parkum, c. 1980s

In Bluejay, Virginia Cohn Parkum presents a haunting, introspective figure that emerges from a … Read more Bluejay*
Virginia Cohn Parkum, c. 1980s

In Bluejay, Virginia Cohn Parkum presents a haunting, introspective figure that emerges from a field of deep blues and shadowed grays. The portrait is not built through conventional modeling but through luminous contour lines and subtle tonal shifts that allow the face to surface gradually from darkness. The eyes, outlined with pale strokes, hover between presence and absence, lending the figure an enigmatic, almost spectral awareness.

The painting’s chromatic atmosphere is dominated by layered blues, indigos, and cool blacks, punctuated by faint electric accents that evoke reflected light rather than direct illumination. These hues recall twilight or submerged space, suggesting emotional depth rather than physical environment. The white strokes along the head covering and facial contours act as visual scaffolding, guiding the viewer’s gaze while emphasizing the constructed nature of the image.

Parkum’s handling of paint remains direct and tactile. Thin washes dissolve into opaque passages, while dry-brushed lines trace features with an immediacy akin to drawing. The chest area, mottled with textured dots and scumbled marks, adds material complexity and reinforces the sense of a body emerging through layers of memory and atmosphere.

The title’s avian reference invites metaphor. Like the blue jay—known for its sharp perception and piercing call—the figure seems alert, watchful, and emotionally guarded. Yet the subdued palette and softened forms temper any aggression, transforming vigilance into quiet endurance.

Within Parkum’s broader exploration of psychological interiority, Bluejay stands as a meditation on identity, perception, and solitude. The portrait resists full revelation, instead offering a face suspended between concealment and disclosure—an image that feels both deeply personal and universally human.
-Jonathan Flike

*The title of this work was assigned by Visard Gallery. See less