Art Conscious c. 1935

Paula Gerard made this print, Art Conscious, using lithography. The fuzzy textures are really what catch my eye. You know, it makes me think about how every mark counts, how each little scribble adds up to something bigger. I love how Gerard uses these tiny marks to build up the faces and figures. It's like she's not just drawing what she sees, but also showing us how she sees. The marks, some dark, some light, give the print a real sense of depth. Look closely, and you can almost feel the different textures of the furs, hats, and pearls. That one face in the middle, with the hat and glasses, is just killing me! The way Gerard uses these little marks to create that expression, it is just, chef's kiss. It’s like these faces are all crammed together, each with its own story, each with its own way of looking at the world. It reminds me a bit of Max Beckmann's claustrophobic compositions, where everyone's packed in, all struggling for space and attention. It’s like we’re all just trying to find our place in the crowd.