Santa Rita - (Bulto) c. 1938

Majel G. Claflin made Santa Rita – (Bulto) using watercolor and graphite on paper. The earthy palette and visible brushstrokes give it a handmade, process-oriented feel, like a quiet conversation between the artist and the subject. The texture of the paper peeks through the thin washes of color, adding a subtle graininess. I love the way Claflin uses the graphite to define the lines of the figure, adding depth without making it feel too rigid. Notice the slight imperfections and irregularities – like the uneven coloring of the robe, and the expressive brushwork, they give the piece a unique energy. The figure feels carved rather than painted, like the artist is honoring the medium as much as the subject matter. It reminds me a little of Marsden Hartley’s folk art portraits, the way he used simple shapes and colors to capture the essence of a person. Ultimately, this piece is a reminder that art is not about perfection, but about capturing a moment in time, an idea, a feeling.