Wall Hanging of Santa Barbara c. 1936

E. Boyd made this wall hanging of Santa Barbara using what looks like a limited palette of earthy tones. I imagine the artist carefully layering washes, letting the colors bleed and blend, building depth and form. There’s a gentle, almost melancholic air about this piece. I can imagine the artist's thoughtful concentration, exploring themes of faith and community. The lines have an honest vulnerability. The dove, chalice, and tower are heavy with symbolic meaning, all rendered with delicate shading, while the flowing lines of the figure's robes hint at a kind of spiritual grace. It is interesting to see how different forms of painting offer different ways of seeing, thinking, and experiencing the world. Artists are always in conversation and exchange of ideas across time, inspiring one another’s creativity. Painting is a form of embodied expression which embraces ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations.