Plate 1936

This 'Plate' by J. Howard Iams is, like, all about the process, right? Look at the way the watercolour kinda bleeds and pools. It's as if Iams let the water do its own thing, guiding it instead of forcing it. There's a simplicity to the image, the washy lilac tones and simple application really speak to me. You can almost feel the grain of the paper through the paint. I’m drawn to the little purple flower, with the flicks of the brush suggesting petals unfurling. It's a humble mark, not trying too hard, yet it holds the whole composition together. I am reminded of Arthur Dove, another artist interested in exploring the potential of modest materials in order to arrive at something deeply expressive. With art, it is not about having all the answers, but about staying curious and open to whatever emerges.