Shell Top Doorway San Luis Rey Mission 1936

Howard H. Sherman made this watercolor painting, "Shell Top Doorway San Luis Rey Mission," at an undetermined time, using delicate washes of color. There’s something so charming about the rendering here; the translucency of the watercolors gives everything a hazy, dreamlike quality. The blues and greens, contrasted with the peach trim, create a playful tension. Notice how the paint isn't overworked; Sherman allows the white of the paper to peek through, adding to the lightness of the composition. The sketch of the ornamentation in the bottom left corner offers a glimpse into Sherman's process; it's like he's thinking aloud on paper. This piece reminds me a bit of some of David Hockney’s vibrant architectural studies, with their similar emphasis on color and light. "Shell Top Doorway San Luis Rey Mission" invites us to appreciate the beauty in the everyday, celebrating the joy of seeing and the pleasure of making.