Cigar Store Indian c. 1938

This image of a cigar store indian, painted by an anonymous artist, grabs you with its direct, almost playful use of color. You can see the artist figuring things out as they go. The paint isn't trying to hide, it's right there, almost like a coloring book. Thick lines give depth, and the color palette, with its reds, greens, and golds, feels both bold and a little dreamlike. Look at the way the gold sash drapes - there's a real sense of the artist enjoying the process, not worrying too much about perfection. It's like they’re thinking, "How can I make this pop?". That little pop of red, right against the green and gold, it's what makes the piece sing. I'm reminded of Red Grooms, who also embraces a kind of joyful naivete in his work. This piece is a reminder that art is often about the pleasure of making, of seeing where the materials take you, of letting the unexpected happen.