Marionette 1935 - 1942

Vera Van Voris created this painting of a Marionette, and what strikes me is its stillness, and the beige, paper-like skin. I can imagine the artist considering their own strings. As an artist, sometimes it feels like you're being controlled by outside forces: the market, other people's expectations… But in the end, you’re the one animating the artwork, pulling the strings. And it’s your choice, as the artist, whether to dance or not. I wonder what Van Voris was thinking as she painted those blank eyes. I like the subtle touch of the face being flushed in the cheeks, and then pale everywhere else. The figure is also somewhat genderless, but somehow human. Maybe we are all marionettes in some way. But like the artist, we have to figure out how to work the strings.