Decoy c. 1939

Charles Garjian made this work, "Decoy," using paper and likely watercolor. The application of the medium is thin and precise, giving the bird form through subtle gradations of tone. The work's character comes from the graphic style and color palette. The artist captures the essence of the bird with simplified shapes. There's a tension between representation and abstraction, which gives the work its visual interest. It exists somewhere between a scientific illustration and a playful design. The artist's careful rendering, combined with their choice of muted colors, creates a balance between realism and stylization. While the subject matter might suggest a fine art context, the visual directness and implied functionality of the title – "Decoy" – also link it to traditions of craft. It highlights how the act of making, combined with material choices, transcends art historical categories.