Briggs Meadow 1977

Neil Welliver made this watercolour, Briggs Meadow, with washes and small brushstrokes. I love the way the marks build the image, almost like observing the meadow through rain spattered glass. There's a real physicality to the paint; you can almost feel the dampness of the watercolour paper and the soft give of the brush. Look closely at the cluster of trees in the foreground, see how each tiny stroke adds to the density of the foliage. The way the greens melt into each other it's like the artist is inviting you to get lost in the landscape. The white river meanders through, reflecting light back at us. Welliver always reminds me a little of Fairfield Porter, especially in their shared commitment to finding something special in everyday landscapes. Ultimately, art is about seeing—and helping others to see—the world in new and unexpected ways.