Dimensions: overall: 35.6 x 24.6 cm (14 x 9 11/16 in.)
Copyright: National Gallery of Art: CC0 1.0
This drawing of a Cigar Store Indian was made by Harry Mann Waddell. The colours are muted and earthy, not exactly realistic, but somehow alive. I love the layering in the cape, how it almost glows, and the odd combination of green and brown in the figure's clothing. This isn't about a faithful representation, but more about feeling. The watercolour is applied in thin washes, allowing the paper to breathe through the image. There's a real sense of care in the details. Look at the feather headdress and how each feather is subtly different, catching the light in its own way. It reminds me that the making of art, like life, is about embracing the little imperfections, and finding beauty in the unexpected. The way that colours bleed slightly at the edges gives a sense of the hand being present in the making. Waddell reminds me of other artists like Bill Traylor, who were self-taught, and who made art out of necessity. It's not about perfection, but about expression, and about celebrating the messy, unpredictable process of being human.
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