"Commodore Morris" Figurehead c. 1938

F.W. Powell made this painting of the "Commodore Morris" figurehead sometime between 1855 and 1995, using what looks like watercolor. I love the slightly naive way the artist approached the subject. The flat rendering reminds me of folk art. The color palette here is pretty restrained, mostly blues, reds, and browns. It's the kind of palette that feels very appropriate for the subject matter; formal, but inviting. I find the handling of the surface really interesting. The thin washes of paint allow the paper to show through, giving the painting a light, airy quality. It’s interesting how the artist used a darker tone to outline the forms, especially on the figurehead. These bold outlines give the image a graphic quality. It reminds me a bit of Fairfield Porter’s paintings, particularly in the way Porter captured the light. Like Porter, Powell sees something quietly beautiful in the everyday. Neither artist seems overly concerned with polish; there’s a realness that speaks to art as a process of seeing and feeling.