Wild Orchids 1920

Charles Demuth made this watercolour called Wild Orchids sometime in his career. I’m just imagining Demuth in his studio, building up these translucent layers, shifting and adjusting. The deep purples create the shadows, they give such a weight to the blooms, making them appear to emerge from darkness. Then there's the juxtaposition of the light pinks and reds, it’s quite subtle, but it makes the orchids almost luminous, don’t you think? I love how the brushstrokes vary, from the broad washes to the delicate lines that define the petals. It reminds me that all artists, including myself, are in constant dialogue with those who came before us, learning from and building upon their innovations. Like, I bet Demuth was looking at the work of other watercolourists such as John Marin or Georgia O'Keeffe.