Red and Mood is a series of three works that put emphasis on the use of color to express mood and movement. Artists Jordan Casteel, Susan Rothenberg, and Jianing Bai all use the color red to be the main color palette to create an atmosphere and revoke feelings among the viewers. All three series of works show a bold use of color and their brushworks present a sense of contained energy within the thickly layered painting on a flat surface. By depicting intimate portraits of humans and animals, three artists translate their personal experience into their painting and explore the relationship between paint and life.

All three artists seek the function of color to express meanings. Jordan Casteel primarily focused on intimate portraits of black men to address social issues and stereotypes against black people. Casteel’s approach of color leads an affectionate conversation between the painting and the audience. The warm tone creates a sensitivity of personal space as well as an alarming stage of discomfort. Her use of nude body also demonstrates a sense of humanity and vulnerability. In contrast, Susan Rothenberg approaches her art using symbolic figurative work of animals such as horses. The red color of her painting is full of movement and even a sense of urgency. Although both artists’ brushstrokes are layered, Rothenberg’s way of paint is more energetic, heavy, and abstract. The representation of the legs of the horse examine a new perspective that is different from traditional of painting a horse. Jianing Bai also uses the color red to create a sensation of vigor and change in action in her painting. Similar to Casteel, She also took inspiration from her personal life and drew her mother based on an old picture of her mom when she was young. Her painting recalls the old days' experience and the movement of the dress strengthened such a shift in time. The red color reminds the colorful and exciting youth time of her mother. And the acrylic brush stroke adds a 3D quality of the paint on a flat surface.