At that moment she was changed by magic to a wonderful little fairy 1907

John Bauer created "At that moment she was changed by magic to a wonderful little fairy," with what looks like watercolour and ink, building the image from delicate washes and precise lines. It reminds me that art-making is often a careful dance between control and letting go. Looking closely, the texture of the paper is visible beneath the layers of paint, especially in the fairy’s flowing hair and dress. Bauer uses thin, transparent washes of colour to create depth and shadow, while the crisp ink lines define the figures and details. Notice that single stroke of white ink that catches the light on the fairy's cheek; it’s these small moments that give the piece its magic. The brown and grey hues create a subdued palette, and amplify the sense of enchantment. This image really reminds me of other magical realist painters like Paula Rego. It asks us to believe in the possibility of transformation, to see the world as a place of mystery and wonder.