Cast and Wrought Iron Fence c. 1936

Arelia Arbo made this watercolor drawing of a fence. The pale and thin strokes of paint feel so tentative! It makes me think about what it's like to be an artist in a world that doesn't always value art. Was she unsure of her place, I wonder? Did she think anyone would ever look at this gate? I sure am glad she made this. The gate seems like it's protecting something. Maybe it's protecting dreams, I think, or maybe it's just protecting a yard. But I'm so curious about who built the actual iron gate, the one she drew, and what they thought they were protecting too. There's something vulnerable about using watercolor. You can't go back! You can't hide anything. It's all right there for everyone to see. And maybe that's what art is all about: just showing people what you see, even if it's scary.