In PAINTER, documentary filmmaker Michael Gregory presents a mesmerizing glimpse of an artist at work. Following the contemporary American abstract painter, Caio Fonseca, at his home and studio in Italy, PAINTER reveals the dedication, resolve, and curiosity required to create. Through candid interviews, Fonseca traces the origins of his work, revealing that his singular forms are not merely summoned from the imagination but are inherited from a deep and personal lineage of artists. Attempting to articulate his methods, Fonseca’s thoughts evolve into a playful meditation on painting, language, and meaning in art. Gregory’s stunning cinematography reveals that every brushstroke is an act of aesthetic consequence. Few films capture as intimately and honestly the solitary but energized world an artist creates inside their studio. PAINTER offers up an intimate behind-the-scenes look at how artworks come to life, and gives a generous portrait of Fonseca’s singular dedication to paint.

“ . . . the filmmakers of this documentary . . . seem to have anticipated that audiences would get most excited by watching paint dry.”

— Art in America

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