Homestead 1979

Clarence Holbrook Carter made this print, Homestead, and it feels like he was playing with clean lines and colours. He's flattened everything out, making the house and landscape almost like a stage set. The paint looks thinly applied, allowing the texture of the paper to peek through, especially in the sky. It gives a sense of airiness. But look at how he's built up the colours in the bushes. There are layers of yellows, greens, and browns, creating a soft, almost fuzzy texture that contrasts with the hard edges of the house. That broken window is interesting, isn’t it? It adds a layer of mystery and decay. I am also reminded of Edward Hopper, especially his sense of loneliness and isolation. But Carter brings a different sensibility, maybe a touch more hopeful. Art is like a conversation, always echoing and responding to what came before.