Pa. German Fractur 1935 - 1942

Elmer R. Kottcamp made this watercolour and graphite drawing, Pa. German Fractur. It's interesting how Kottcamp approaches mark making. The colour palette is really vibrant, and it gives the piece an overall sense of joyfulness, of artmaking as a labour of love. Looking at the artwork, the texture is smooth, and the colours are layered in such a way that they create depth. The paint is thin and transparent, allowing the paper to show through in places. It's hard to tell what kind of brushes were used, but the marks are delicate and precise. I keep coming back to the little birds. There is such a playfulness here, a real sense of joy and freedom, of being free to play and experiment with colour, line, and form. I'm reminded of the work of Henri Matisse. Both artists share a love of bold colour and simplified forms. Like Matisse, Kottcamp seems less concerned with capturing reality, and more interested in creating a visual experience that is both decorative and expressive.