Grüne Pflanzen Blutlaus (Green Plant-Blood-Louse) 1924

Paul Klee made this watercolor, Green Plant-Blood-Louse, with pen and ink, at some point in his career. The way he puts down marks, it's all about an intuitive process, like doodling in a dream. Look closely, and you'll see a world of texture. It’s like Klee built up the image layer by layer. The thin washes of color allow the paper to breathe. It’s as if he’s coaxing these surreal beings into existence, not forcing them. My eye is drawn to the little creature, the blood-louse itself, perched on what could be a plant or a dreamscape. It has this quizzical expression, as if it's just as surprised to be there as we are. Klee reminds me of Joan Miró, both artists are interested in the spaces between representation and abstraction. Ultimately, Klee embraces the idea that art doesn't need to be pinned down; it can be a space of possibility.