Civil War Soldiers 1935 - 1942

George File, who lived from 1855 to 1995, made this piece called Civil War Soldiers, and I love the watery blues he chose. It's like he’s remembering the past, letting it flow through him, and onto the page. You can almost feel the water in the paint, the way it spreads and pools. The color isn't quite solid; it's got a life of its own, like memories shifting over time. Look at the way the blue runs in the uniforms, how it creates shadows and highlights. It's not about getting every detail right; it's about capturing the feeling of these figures, the essence of their movement and their music. It’s about the process of remembering itself. The way the figures are arranged, marching across the page, reminds me of old folk art, like seeing history through a dream. It reminds you that art doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful. It’s in this imperfection that the piece finds its truth and beauty. It makes you consider what we choose to remember, and how we keep those memories alive through art.