Jitterbugs (III) 1941

William H. Johnson made 'Jitterbugs (III)' with paint and a whole lotta rhythm! The colours are bold, almost cartoonish, and the shapes are simplified, but they manage to capture the energy of jazz. It looks like Johnson wasn’t afraid to just lay it down, to let the paint do its thing. The surface has got this cool, textured feel, kinda rough and honest. You can see the strokes, the way he worked the paint around. Check out the guitarist's hand – just a few quick strokes, but you know exactly what it is. That bright, almost traffic-cone orange of those shoes? It pops right out, doesn't it? It's like Johnson is turning up the volume, saying, "Hey, look at this joy!" Johnson's work reminds me of Romare Bearden, in the way they both celebrated Black culture with so much love. And, like all great art, it’s not about nailing down one single meaning. It’s more about letting the music move you.