Created in the 1960s, this joyful drawing emerges from a pivotal point in Jules Olitski's career when he began to transition away from naive color field creations to discover his radical spray painting technique. Olitski's first chapter of artistic creation, and this drawing is included, is the most sought after and difficult to find. Over the last 60+ years, there have been less than a dozen such drawings come on the secondary market. This drawing is emblematic of the stain paintings of the era; large lopsided round shapes attempt to dominate the picture plane, intimidating other smaller forms and colors, whether mini circles or soft borders. 

Atypical is the emphatic "Lechaim!" featured at the bottom of the page, bringing the bright and voluminous colors into a cheerful exclamation. (Lechaim translated in Hebrew is "to life" and is used both in prayer, and as an equivalent to "cheers"). Olitski's inclusion of text is a rare occurrence, making this piece an especially remarkable work from this era. Originally sold in Toronto at Theo Waddington Galleries, this work has fortuitously found its way back to the city decades later. This mere coincidence serves as an emblem of Oltiski's important connection to Toronto, having exhibited continuously in the city for over twenty years at the David Mirvish Gallery and Gallery One throughout his career.