Dress c. 1936

This watercolor, "Dress," was made by Marie Mitchell, who lived from 1855 to 1995, though we don’t know exactly when. Isn’t it fascinating? I love the way Mitchell uses color so sparingly, especially in the bodice with the green and pink hues. There is something quite touching and delicate about this depiction of a dress, almost like she’s rendering an idea rather than a concrete thing. The way the skirt is draped and the little flowers that punctuate the whole affair, feels so dreamlike. I wonder how Mitchell approached art making, what did a day look like for her? I imagine this piece was made with love. It reminds me of a cross between a fashion plate and a botanical drawing. Thinking of other artists, the closest comparison might be someone like outsider artist, Bill Traylor, whose works on cardboard also have a similar blend of directness and charm. Ultimately, art is always a conversation.