Premier Amour. Yap, Ouest Carolines 1937

Paul Jacoulet made this woodblock print, "Premier Amour," sometime in the mid-20th century, probably with the help of several artisans. I love how the colours seem simple at first, but then you notice the subtle changes that create a kind of quiet movement. It's a reminder that making art is always a collaboration, a process of back and forth. Look at the way the woman’s hair spills across the maroon surface, almost like water. It's not just yellow; there are hints of green, and the way the lines curve gives it this feeling of constant flow. And the skin has this flatness, making her body almost abstract, like a landscape we can trace with our eyes. The tiny flower on her wrist – it's like a small moment of tenderness. It reminds me of some of Matisse's later works, that same simplicity and focus on line and colour. Ultimately, art is an ongoing conversation, with each piece building on what came before.