Station of the Cross No. 1: "Jesus is Condemned to Death c. 1936

Beulah Bradleigh made this watercolour painting, Station of the Cross No. 1, and what strikes me is her handling of colour and form, particularly in the figures, it’s as if she's building the image from simple shapes. The colours are muted, earthy, and the paint thinly applied, almost translucent in places, allowing the paper's surface to breathe through. Notice how Bradleigh renders the scene with a directness, each brushstroke feels intentional, yet unlaboured. There's a raw honesty in the way she represents the human figure, with simple blocks of colour defining form and shadow. Take a look at the figure of Jesus, his body rendered with a few strokes of pale colour, vulnerable yet dignified. The background has a stage set quality, heightening the sense of drama. Bradleigh's work resonates with the spirit of folk art, reminiscent of the visionary paintings of someone like Bill Traylor, who shares a similar commitment to directness and simplicity of form. This piece celebrates art as a space for personal expression and spiritual exploration.