What does it mean to be a "painter's painter"?

And why I trust the title more than anything

Jun 19, 2025

Currently at MOCA in Toronto, Margaux Williamson has a very good solo exhibition (you can view detail images from my visit here). Every single painter I’ve spoken to has had the uniform observation that they are slightly obsessed with her paintings. It quickly became clear that Margaux Williamson is a painter’s painter.

What is a painter’s painter? It’s a painter that other painters love because they can see something they understand on a painterly level. These nuances in paint are sometimes unseen to the layperson, but painters see them as one of their own. While I love Williamson’s paintings, I don’t quite understand the technical skill it takes for her to make them. Other painters do and gush to me about how hard it actually is to make a line so confident and effortless.

I’ve always felt a strong affinity towards the James Baldwin quote: “Painters have often taught writers how to see. And once you've had that experience, you see differently.” This was true for Baldwin, who was taught to see by Beauford Delaney, and it has been true in my life as well. So whenever I hear a painter talk about another painter they love, I pay close attention and take note. They know what they’re talking about, and I trust their taste often more than my own.

I think Marcelle Reinecke said it best: “For me, a ‘painter’s painter’ is one who makes me excited to get in the studio.”

I asked my favourite painters who their painter’s painters are; below are the answers.

Painters, As Recommended by Painters

Please comment YOUR painter’s painter. I will include a couple of responses in next week’s letter. xx

What does it mean to be a "painter's painter"?

And why I trust the title more than anything

Painters, As Recommended by Painters

Jennifer Carvalho:

Matt Kleberg:

Veronika Pausova:

Sky Glabush:

Keiran Brennan Hinton:

Marcelle Reinecke:

Ellen Siebers:

Corri-lynn Tetz:

Elise Lafontaine:

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