Jug c. 1937

This is Yolande Delasser’s ‘Jug,’ and though we don’t know the date, it feels like a memory, a looking back, rendered in watercolor. The blue is so evocative, that rich cobalt, applied with a confidence that speaks to an intuitive, process-oriented way of working. The surface is smooth, almost translucent, allowing the paper's texture to peek through, creating a soft, dreamlike quality. I love the way Delasser uses the blue to create a pattern of a bird, leaves, and looping vines, the application of the paint seems effortless. Look at the body of the bird, the blue is concentrated here in short strokes, this area is almost velvety. This piece reminds me of some of Marsden Hartley’s still life paintings. Both artists share a similar interest in folk art traditions, which is reflected in their direct, unpretentious style. Like Hartley, Delasser embraces ambiguity, finding beauty in the everyday and inviting us to see the world through their unique lens.