Chalkware Dog c. 1940

Sadie Berman made this watercolor of a chalkware dog sometime in the 20th century. The muted palette and soft brushwork give the dog a gentle, almost dreamlike quality. It feels very intuitive, like Berman was really feeling her way through the process of painting. Up close, you can see how the texture of the chalkware is suggested through tiny, repetitive strokes of the brush. Look at the way she handles the dog's fur - it's not about perfect realism, but more about capturing the overall impression of fluffiness and volume. And that little gold collar! It is just a tiny, bright spot that draws your eye in. There's something about the simplicity and directness of this painting that reminds me of some folk art traditions. Artists like Bill Traylor come to mind, who similarly used humble materials and a straightforward approach to create powerful, expressive images. It’s that kind of playful investigation that leaves you with more questions than answers.