Pa. German Dish 1938

This is Eugene Shellady’s “Pa. German Dish”, made with watercolor and graphite, probably in the mid-20th century. Right away, I’m drawn to how the colours and shapes feel both folksy and kinda psychedelic. The way Shellady lays down the watercolor feels like a process of revealing, not just depicting. The colours aren't blended to hide the marks, they're there to highlight each gesture. Look at that bird, a few simple lines, and you totally get the essence of a bird, right? What I find amazing is how the simplicity is so sophisticated. Shellady is obviously looking at early Pennsylvania German folk art, but he's also adding his own spin. It reminds me a bit of Elizabeth Murray, you know, taking everyday objects and turning them into something wild and new. Art isn’t about perfection, it’s about the ongoing conversation between artists across time.