Cigar Store Indian c. 1937

Walter Hochstrasser made this painting, "Cigar Store Indian," using watercolor. The skin of the figure is painted with blacks and greys, layered to show the form and create highlights. It reminds me of the layered approach that goes into making prints. I can almost see the artist layering one tone over another to create depth, like a printmaker with a lithography stone. Look at the painting of the feathers, you can see how the artist has carefully delineated them using a range of colors, in a way that feels both studied and spontaneous. The level of detail on display here is amazing! There is a real sense of presence that radiates from the subject. The care and attention to detail reminds me of other artists like Joseph Stella and his "American Landscape" paintings. Artists creating their own versions of America.