Ship Carver's Sign c. 1938

Dorothy Hay Jensen made this "Ship Carver's Sign" in watercolour, giving us a glimpse into her process of artmaking. Look at the way she layers thin washes of color, almost like a watercolor tattoo. It’s a delicate balance. The ship itself, a study in grays and blacks, is offset by the creamy whites of the sails. These colors are transparent, allowing the paper to shine through. The gold trim around the edge, meticulously rendered, has these decorative flourishes. Then you notice the tiny flag, a burst of red, white, and blue. It’s a small detail, but it brings the whole thing to life. It reminds me a little of the work of Forrest Bess, not in style, but in the way both artists create these intensely personal, almost mystical images. Ultimately, this piece is about embracing the beauty of imperfection.