Child's Dress c. 1936

Gladys C. Parker made this watercolor painting of a child’s dress, and I bet she made it with real love. The dress is red, almost like a poppy, and so crisp against the paper! I’m just imagining her, bent over the page, carefully laying down each wash of color. There is a slight unevenness of tone, which gives the dress volume and makes it shimmer. Think about the fine detail of the trim, a delicate, almost lace-like flourish that makes the painting sing. She really took time with this one! I love that. And what could this dress be for? A special occasion? Everyday wear? What would it be like to feel the cotton on your skin? Parker’s gesture is so intimate, so domestic. She reminds me of so many other artists who have chronicled their lives in paint – Fairfield Porter and Alice Neel come to mind. They’re all having a conversation across time, inspiring and challenging each other. I love how painting can capture a moment and make it eternal, holding space for interpretation and allowing new stories to unfold.