Billethead Soldier 1935 - 1942

This “Billethead Soldier” painting; we don’t know exactly when, or by whom, was made on paper. There’s something both flat and sculptural happening at once here. The artist is interested in the process of image-making; nothing's obscured. See the way the paint is laid down in thin washes, allowing the texture of the paper to peek through. It’s not about hiding the effort. I’m drawn to the color choices, that muted palette—blues, reds, creams—and how they create a sense of depth and form without being overly realistic. Look closely at the face, there's a lot of information and character to be found in the facial structure. In this area you can really see the wood grain coming through! The texture is allowed to inform the image. This piece reminds me a bit of the work of Bill Traylor, another artist who embraced simplicity and directness in their work. Like Traylor, the creator of this “Billethead Soldier” reminds us that art is a conversation, an ongoing exploration of ideas and materials, and there is always room for new voices and perspectives.