Santa (One of Eight Virgins) Front View c. 1937

Majel Claflin made "Santa (One of Eight Virgins) Front View" with watercolor on paper and it's all about the journey, right? You can almost see her figuring it out as she goes, those delicate washes of color blending, creating something ethereal. Look at the texture; the watercolor is so thin, it almost disappears into the paper. It's like she's trying to capture a fleeting moment, or a memory. And the colors, soft pinks and blues, create a dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere. Notice that band of swirling blue decoration that runs down the skirt. There is something both playful and elegant about the gesture. Claflin reminds me a little of Florine Stettheimer, another artist who wasn't afraid to embrace a sense of playfulness and feminine sensibility in her work. Both artists invite us to see the world through their unique lens, embracing the ambiguity and complexity of human experience. It’s the ongoing conversation between artists that stretches across time, isn't it?