Doll in Blue Dress 1935 - 1942

Lillian Causey made this watercolor artwork, Doll in Blue Dress, we don't know exactly when, but she lived a long life! Look at how the blues and whites are layered, like delicate lace, giving it an almost dreamlike quality. The paint isn't trying to hide itself; it's right there on the surface. You can see how the colors blend, how the brush danced across the paper. This is a process, and the artist isn't afraid to show it. I love how the blue sash cascades down, pooling at the bottom. It's like a waterfall, a flowing ribbon of color that grounds the whole piece. The doll feels as though it is in motion. It reminds me a little of some of Florine Stettheimer's portraits, with their quirky charm and attention to detail. Like Stettheimer, Causey creates a world that’s both familiar and strange, inviting us to bring our own stories and feelings to the table. It's not about perfection, it's about the conversation.