Wall Stencil (copy) c. 1936

This watercolor rendering of a wall stencil, by Ray Holden, is just so visually appealing. I think what I love most about it is the way the artist embraces a limited palette, playing with the subtle variations in green and blue to create depth and interest. There's a real sense of the handmade here, which I find so endearing. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the paper, carefully applying each layer of color. The brushstrokes are visible, and the lines are not always perfectly straight, adding to the work's charm. Look closely at how the artist balances the geometric and organic shapes. The combination creates a lively and engaging surface that invites you to linger. Holden's work reminds me a bit of the bold, graphic sensibility of early twentieth-century folk art, but with a distinctly modern sensibility. It’s this blend of the old and the new that makes the piece so special and gives it a timeless quality.