Bracelets c. 1937

Tulita Westfall made this painted study of bracelets and clasps with gouache on paper. Look at the way she has built up the colours, the ochres and pinks, with subtle variations. I love how the gouache sits on the paper, creating a slight texture that gives the image depth. It feels like she’s trying out different ideas, different combinations of shapes, as she works. What was she thinking when she painted each component, and how does it fit into her broader approach to image-making? I imagine Westfall at her desk, carefully applying each layer of gouache, and considering the designs she has created. Maybe she felt a connection to the artisans who crafted the real jewelry? Artists are always in conversation with each other, across time, inspiring one another’s creativity and ways of seeing. I find that very comforting.