Shop Figure - Child c. 1937

Beverly Chichester made this painting of a shop figure, using watercolor on paper. It’s all about subtle color shifts and delicate washes. It looks simple, but that's the magic, right? I find myself drawn to the way Chichester handled the dress, that blue is not just blue, it’s got layers and variations within it, like a sky on a cloudy day. It gives the whole thing a sense of depth, even though it’s pretty flat. Look at the edge of her dress, how Chichester uses the white of the paper to suggest the form. It’s economical and direct, leaving much to the imagination. This kind of quiet observation reminds me of Fairfield Porter's watercolors – that ability to find so much in everyday scenes. I think art is about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, and Chichester certainly does that here. It’s a reminder that seeing is a process, not just a passive act.