Merry Christmas—Happy New Year 1935 - 1936

John Marin made this card, *Merry Christmas—Happy New Year,* sometime between 1935 and 1936, probably as a gift. The color is really working for me; it's got this dusty, old rose kind of vibe, like something you'd find tucked away in your grandma's attic. The white marks really pop against that rose color, making the whole image jump out at you. And it's not just about the colors, it’s also about the texture. You can almost feel the grain of the wood, which gives it a real handmade, personal feel. The linework has this great, sharp quality that really contrasts with the softness of the color. I’m drawn to the little bird, with its spiky little head, perched up above the Christmas tree. It's kind of quirky and unexpected, and it adds a touch of humor to the whole composition. This reminds me a little of the work of someone like Emil Nolde, who really pushed the boundaries of color and form in his prints. I love art that embraces the unexpected.