Boston Rocker 1940

Genevieve Sherlock made this painting of a Boston Rocker at an unknown date with what looks like watercolor on paper. I'm always so curious about these kinds of artists! What do we know about Genevieve Sherlock? Did she obsessively make images? Did she labour over this painting? Or was it dashed off in an afternoon? I love the way the artist carefully rendered the spindly back and graceful curve of the rockers. The overall effect is simple but there's a real sense of volume, a feeling of groundedness, and a very American flavor to it all. I like how the dark silhouette pops from the blank background. I'm always inspired by artists like Sherlock, the so-called 'outsiders,' because they remind me that painting isn't just about technique or theory, it’s a way of seeing and feeling the world. They help us reconsider art as something more embodied, more uncertain, and infinitely more open.