Old Dutch Farmhouse c. 1936

Gladys Cook made this watercolour drawing of an Old Dutch Farmhouse with thin washes of paint. I imagine her standing outside, squinting to see the colours as she builds the image up in layers. It’s like she’s trying to capture the feeling of a place rather than a photograph-perfect rendering. The building is rendered in hues of violet with hints of green shutters, evoking a sense of tranquility. The sketchy outlines of the foliage seem to be merging with the architecture. It’s as if Cook were interested in the dialogue between built and organic environments. There's a vulnerability to the watercolour, a sensitivity that’s really appealing. The artist is allowing the image to come into being through a delicate dance between control and chance. Cook's process mirrors that of other watercolourists, who similarly embrace the medium's fluidity to evoke the beauty of the world around us. I love how artists can inspire one another across generations. Each brushstroke is an act of trust, inviting us to see with new eyes.