The first word on these paintings is their naturalistic expression beginning with the imagery referencing everything from abstract landscape to plausible renderings of microbiology.  This is supported by the materials employed which only begin with paint.  Look at the media assembled to create Dreamtime for EAS  oils, acrylic, paper-mache, cloth, herbs and glitter on linen. Herbs? Well, as far as remaining true to nature Joan Snyder is what I would classify as honest realist.  The second thing to explicitly emerge is how much this work is involved with texture and in the extreme, sculpture. Some of these pieces such as Alizarin and Ice offer a measure of 3 dimensional weight. The color presents a fine blend between down-to-earth tones and splashier, brighter hues.  As to the forms, from a formal perspective a wide range is offered which sometimes stray in many directions but without losing a grip on the basic themes explored.

Joan Snyder, Dreamtime for EAS, 2006, oil, acrylic, paper-mache, cloth, herbs, glitter on linen, 60 x 78 in

Joan Snyder, All the Things, 2006, oil, acrylic, fabric, herbs, rosebuds, chalk on linen, 36 x 36 in

Joan Snyder, Alizarin and Ice, 2006, oil, acrylic, twigs, seeds, fabric, paper, glitter on linen, 42 x 62 in