Baptismal Font c. 1937

Gerald Transpota made this ‘Baptismal Font’ watercolor sometime between 1855 and 1995, and it’s a total trip. The whole thing looks like it was done with such a meticulous, meditative process. You can almost feel Transpota coaxing the pigments across the paper, building up this object layer by layer. I'm really drawn to the use of brown here. It’s not just a flat color, it’s got depth, warmth, and it's kind of earthy. It makes the whole thing feel so grounded, like it’s been sitting there for centuries gathering dust, and prayers. See that little handle on the side? It's so delicate, and kinda crooked, like it was made by hand, with love. It gives the whole thing a human touch, like it’s not just an object, it’s a part of someone’s story. Transpota, with his outsider art vibe, reminds me a bit of Bill Traylor, who also had this way of making art that feels so raw and honest. It's the kind of art that reminds you that artmaking is just a long, beautiful conversation.