Marionette c. 1938

Verna Tallman created this drawing of a marionette, probably in the mid-20th century, using watercolor and pencil. The way she’s handled the red is so interesting, it’s not just a flat color, but a field of variations, a kind of pulsating surface. The puppet itself is devilish, a bright red character with horns and a cape, somehow both theatrical and slightly sinister. I love the way she used the watercolor here: thin washes, building up layers, but still allowing the paper to breathe. Look closely, and you can see these tiny dots and dashes all over, creating this lively texture. It reminds me of those pointillist paintings, but with a folk art twist. The cape is especially great. It looks like the puppet might be in motion, ready to dance or cause a bit of mischief. Tallman reminds me a little of someone like Henry Darger, with that same outsider sensibility, that intense focus on creating these elaborate, imaginative worlds. Art doesn't always need to be about perfection or polish, it can be about raw expression, about finding beauty in the unexpected.