Marie Jane Hughes Marin (Mrs. John Marin) c. 1944

John Marin made this portrait of Marie Jane Hughes Marin, his wife, with watercolor on paper, and it's all about the juicy process of painting. Look at how he fearlessly attacks the paper, laying down washes of color, letting the watery pigment bleed and mingle, all to capture a likeness. The painting is filled with translucent layers, like looking through colored glass, and it gives you a sense of Marin's hand moving quickly, confidently. The blue of her jacket is a real standout. Little daubs and dashes suggest a pattern, but it's more about the feel of fabric than a literal depiction. There's this spot, right around her mouth, where the pinks and grays smudge together. It's like he's searching for the right expression, not afraid to let the colors get a little messy in the process. This freedom reminds me of other artists like Marsden Hartley, who embraced a kind of raw expressiveness. It reminds you that art is about seeing, feeling, and letting the paint do its thing, too.