Cigar Store Indian c. 1938

Lucille Lacoursiere made this lovely painting of a 'Cigar Store Indian', and it’s got me thinking about the act of imitation and influence. Look at those subtle watercolor washes, building up the figure gradually. I bet Lucille felt a deep connection to the object she painted, almost like a portrait. I can imagine her studying the light as it hit the wooden form, trying to capture its essence on paper. You can see where she has built up layers of paint to create the textures of the wood, the feathers, and the fabrics of the costume. It's interesting, isn't it? Artists looking at other artists, objects, ideas, and remixing them into something new. We're all in conversation, borrowing and transforming. It's like a big, beautiful game of telephone, with each artist adding their own voice to the story. Painting is an ongoing exchange of ideas across time, inspiring creativity and opening us up to new ways of seeing.