Pine Bust of Washington c. 1938

Lucille Chabot made this "Pine Bust of Washington" with graphite and watercolor wash on paper. I love how the piece has a certain softness, despite its solid subject. The graphite outlines are delicate but clear, framing the figure, while the washes of color give depth. The blue backdrop is almost meditative, simple, and serene. It's like a whisper behind the bust, letting Washington float forward in this gentle space. Look closely, and you can see how Chabot's hand moved – tentative yet assured, creating volume through subtle shifts in tone. The planes of the face and drapery are defined with such economy, like she’s really thought about what makes up this figure. This work reminds me of Agnes Martin’s drawings, where simplicity becomes profound. Art-making, for me, is like that – an ongoing conversation with those who came before, each adding their voice to the mix, hopefully.