Bloemen in een vaas 1916

Here's an artwork made with colored pencils by Reijer Stolk, who lived from 1896 to 1945. I can imagine him making this in the garden. It’s a simple bouquet of pink flowers, drawn with so much charm and the colors are mostly soft pinks and blues. You can feel how the artist enjoyed using a light touch to construct the image. It is more about capturing a feeling, you know? I love the way the flowers are just outlined in a looping gesture; each one seems to unfurl right before your eyes. The vase they sit in feels tentative like it might disappear at any moment. There's something really poignant in the way the marks aren't overworked, as if Stolk is saying it’s ok to leave things a little unresolved. Like a half-remembered song.