Bluebird and Cottonwoods (The Birches) 1917

Charles Burchfield made this watercolour and graphite rendering of ‘Bluebird and Cottonwoods’ without a specified date. But I reckon it was made in the heat of process. The paint is laid on thin, almost translucent in places, and it really sings about the physicality of the medium. It's as if the watercolours are breathing on the surface. The way Burchfield renders the trees is almost like a musical notation. Take a look at the spot where that bluebird is perched. It’s a splash of pure, unadulterated joy. His work makes me think of Marsden Hartley, another artist who wasn't afraid to pour his heart onto the canvas, even if it meant breaking a few rules along the way. Ultimately art is about the conversation. It's about pushing boundaries and seeing where they take us.