Squirrel c. 1940

Beatrice DeKalb made this painting of a squirrel, probably in watercolours, and I love the way the marks seem to build the form. Look at the base of the squirrel, how the green paint is applied in vertical stripes like it’s been hewn from the earth. Then your eyes follow the lines upwards, tracing the form of the squirrel, as it holds an acorn, or something, between its paws. The whole thing is rendered in this grey-white colour, yet, if you look closely, there are touches of brown, purple, even red, that bring the form to life. The tail too has this great texture. You can almost feel the fur. I am reminded of another artist, Forrest Bess, who also found freedom to depict his inner visions, using a similar naive style. Ultimately, the beauty of this work lies in its humble charm, its sense of openness and its willingness to embrace a unique vision.