Rio Grande 1998

Francis Xavier Tolbert made 'Rio Grande' with what looks like watercolor and ink on paper. The green radiates out from the trunk, like a sunburst, or maybe a firework frozen in time. I'm imagining Tolbert outside, sketching this plant quickly, trying to catch its essence with just a few lines. Those confident black lines around the leaves really pop. The paint is watery, thin. You can see the paper underneath, which gives it a light, airy feeling. Look at that base. It's like a little fortress! I wonder if Tolbert was thinking about the plant’s resilience, its ability to survive in a tough environment. It reminds me of other artists who find beauty in the everyday. Like Fairfield Porter, but with a little Texas grit thrown in. Artists are always talking to each other, even across time. They notice something, they make something, and then someone else sees it and makes something new. It's a never-ending conversation, and it's beautiful.