Cinderella 

Mary Blair created this dynamic image of Cinderella using gouache, a quick-drying opaque watercolor, sometime in the mid-twentieth century. Blair was a master of color and composition, and you can see her bold choices at play in the stark contrast between the dark castle and the luminescent carriage. Gouache lends itself to flat, vibrant colors, and Blair uses this quality to full effect, creating a dreamlike vision of Cinderella's escape. Look closely, and you'll notice the texture of the paint on the paper. Gouache allows for layering and blending, and Blair uses these techniques to create depth and movement in the image. Her confident brushstrokes capture the energy of the scene, while also emphasizing the inherent beauty of the material. By focusing on the materials and the making process, we can appreciate Blair's skill as a craftsperson, recognizing her place in a broader history of creative practice.