St. George (Painted on Deerskin) 1935 - 1942

E. Boyd painted this St. George on deerskin, and it feels like a page torn from a storybook. The colors are muted, like old watercolors, creating a dreamy effect. Looking closely, you can see the way the paint soaks into the hide, giving the image a soft, almost blurry quality. The artist coaxes the medium to embrace the deerskin. The blue of the horse is especially striking, a cool contrast to the warm, earthy background. Notice the way the lines wobble slightly, and the shapes are a little off – especially the horse's legs and the rider's beard. These imperfections add to the charm, and imbue the work with an honesty and humanness. It reminds me of other self-taught artists like Bill Traylor, who embraced the quirks and imperfections of their materials. There’s a kind of freedom in letting go of perfection, and embracing the unexpected. Art as an exchange of ideas, and a process.