Stoneware Jar 1937

This is Richard Barnett's Stoneware Jar, we don't know when it was made or with what, but isn't it great! I love the looseness of this painting, the way Barnett is not trying to be too slick. It feels exploratory, each mark contributing to the overall form. The jar has been rendered in soft grays, with bold blue floral motifs. The texture is smooth, but you can feel the presence of the artist's hand. Look at the way the blue paint pools in certain areas, creating depth and shadow. See that one little leaf, how it curls slightly? That's the kind of detail that makes this jar so appealing. Barnett isn't afraid to let the paint do its thing, he embraces the happy accidents that come with the process. This jar reminds me a bit of those folk artists like Bill Traylor who were just doing their thing, making art from whatever was around. Barnett shares that same kind of raw, unpretentious energy. It’s not about perfection; it’s about expression.