Marionette - "Ahab" c. 1938

Elmer Weise created this watercolor and graphite rendering of a marionette—"Ahab"—sometime in the 20th century, though the exact date is unknown. The washes of color here are fantastic, aren't they? See how the face is built up of these pinks, reds, and grays? It's like Weise is letting us see the puppet's interior life, the way he layers the pigments to give the figure depth, and dimension. It's a beautiful example of process. The paint isn't just *on* the surface; it *is* the surface. I keep coming back to those hands. They're so small and delicate. They're almost comically small. But they also have this fragility that makes you want to protect them, or maybe give them a hug. Elmer Weise reminds me of Red Grooms in the way he lets his works be so playful. But unlike Grooms, he keeps it understated. It is art that asks questions instead of answering them.