Garverierne i Falaise, Normandiet 1901 - 1904

Othon Friesz made this watercolor, "Garverierne i Falaise, Normandiet," at an unknown date. The muted palette and the loose, flowing lines remind me of artmaking as a process of discovery rather than a rigid plan. Looking at the surface, you can see how the watercolor bleeds and blends. It's thin, almost transparent in places, which gives the whole scene a dreamy, ephemeral quality. Notice the dark, vertical strokes used for the building on the right - they're confident and expressive. This emphasis on gesture reminds me of Franz Kline's black-and-white abstractions, even though Kline's work is far more abstract. Both artists share a love for the dynamic mark and the way it can convey energy and movement. Ultimately, this piece invites us to appreciate the beauty in simplicity and the power of suggestion over explicit representation.