House 1935 - 1942

This watercolour, 'House', was made by an anonymous artist, and it really sings to me about the joy of putting brush to paper. The gentle washes of pink and green speak to a delicate touch, each stroke considered, not overworked. I love how the building emerges from the landscape, as though the artist is piecing together memory and imagination. See the way the paint pools at the bottom of the trees and fades out towards the lower edge, so light and free. That quality reminds me of Fairfield Porter's light-filled landscapes, though here, the hand feels a little less sure, a bit more like a whispered secret. It's a beautiful example of how the process of painting can evoke feelings of nostalgia and wonder. The artist isn't trying to copy reality, but to capture a feeling.