Ms. Marianne in the Wallenstein Garden 1993

Maria Bozoky made this watercolor and ink drawing, Ms. Marianne in the Wallenstein Garden, at some point in her life. Look at those confident, energetic lines laid down to define the forms. It’s almost like she’s dancing with the brush and pen, letting the image emerge through the process of making. The texture is smooth, the colors translucent, and the overall feel is light and airy. I am drawn to how Bozoky’s use of watercolor is so evocative, the washes of color create depth and atmosphere. Take a look at the scribble of the tree. See how it comes alive, capturing the essence of its form without getting bogged down in detail. It’s this kind of looseness and spontaneity that I find so appealing. Bozoky’s work reminds me a little of Raoul Dufy; they both have this way of capturing a sense of place with minimal means, leaving plenty of room for the viewer’s imagination to fill in the blanks. Art, at its best, is a conversation.