Drawing for Plate 8: From the Portfolio "Folk Art of Rural Pennsylvania" c. 1939

This is a drawing for Plate 8 from the portfolio "Folk Art of Rural Pennsylvania," and it was made at some unknown time by an anonymous artist. It’s rendered with flat applications of color and bold outlines, so there’s no hiding here; the making of this image is right there on the surface. The red bird is such a striking presence, perched on a branch, surrounded by the stylized blooms. It’s like the whole world is organized around this bird. It's interesting how the drawing simplifies form, reducing it to these almost archetypal shapes, like a child's drawing but with incredible confidence and intention. The colour palette is limited, and the shapes are all so distinct, but there’s something so appealing in the way the artist has created this world. It reminds me a little of some of the work of outsider artist, Bill Traylor, but it seems unfair to only view this work in relation to others, as if all art is not simply one great, on-going conversation.