Decorative Panel from Rail Car Interior c. 1936

This is Wellington Blewett's Decorative Panel from a Rail Car Interior, and, well, it's pretty neat! The composition is pretty simple: a linear progression of leaves and berries framed on a wood panel. In a way, it reminds me of when I paint, when you get into the flow it's like the piece just makes itself. You find yourself looking for the next thing to do to the piece, and by the end, you're left with something pretty awesome. I find the wood grain that Blewett has painted as a background to be a very satisfying touch to the piece, grounding it in reality a little bit. With the bright red berries and the ribbon shape, it gives the piece a touch of whimsy and playfulness, and really makes it feel like a complete piece. I think of artists like Phillip Taaffe and his love of ornamentation when I see something like this. Ultimately, art's all about having a conversation, and this piece is just one little bit of that.