Oklahoma Panhandle No. 3 1941

Ina Annette made this print, Oklahoma Panhandle No. 3, at some point in her life, using what looks like a woodcut technique. The composition is really striking. It’s a landscape but not picturesque, more like a record of a place and a way of seeing. The thing I notice is the mark making. It’s all about carving away to make a picture of land and mountains. The stark contrast between black and white creates a bold, graphic impact. You can almost feel the artist’s hand moving, cutting into the wood. Look at the peaks of the mountains; see how the white spaces define their shapes. It’s not just about the physical landscape, but about Annette’s engagement with the material. I see something of Marsden Hartley here, that same raw, American vision, but with a folksy touch. Art's like a big conversation, don’t you think? Everyone adding their own voice.