Plate 15: The Creation (Lunette): From Portfolio "Spanish Colonial Designs of New Mexico" 1935 - 1942

This watercolor, "The Creation," part of a portfolio of Spanish Colonial designs from New Mexico, is all about clean lines and flat color. It’s not trying to trick you into thinking it's real; it's upfront about being a representation, a design. The piece feels grounded in its materials. The thin washes of color, the way the lines confidently define shapes without shading—it’s clear the artist is interested in the act of making. Look at the angel’s robe, that bright red really pops. The surrounding blues, browns, and creams make it look almost cartoonish. I'm drawn to the little potted plants on either side, their shapes are so simplified, almost like ideograms. They add a touch of whimsy to the scene. It reminds me of folk art, where the story and the feeling are more important than perfect realism. Think of someone like Bill Traylor, using what he had to tell his story. This piece, like Traylor's work, shows us that art is a conversation, a way of seeing and sharing, not just a skill.