Wall Stencil (From an Inn) c. 1936

Ray Holden made this wall stencil from an Inn, and we can see how the process really shines through. The color palette is simple, just red and green, but the execution feels almost improvisational, like Holden was feeling his way through the design as he went. The stenciled shapes have a tactile quality, a bit rough around the edges, which gives them a human touch. The paint isn't trying to hide; it's right there on the surface, bold and unapologetic. Take a look at the floral motif in the center – it's not perfectly symmetrical, but it has this wonderful energy, like a burst of life. Holden reminds me of someone like Ree Morton, who also played with decoration and pattern in a really personal, handmade way. And like Morton, Holden reminds us that art is really an ongoing conversation, full of experimentation, with no one right answer.