Ornamental Wood Carving: Eagle c. 1940

Harriette Gale made this 'Ornamental Wood Carving: Eagle' with what looks like watercolour paint on paper. And the whole thing feels like a real labour of love, you know? Like someone really enjoying the process. What I love about this is how the eagle isn't just a flat image. Gale really lets the paint do its thing, especially in the wings. Look closely, and you see how each feather has this individual, almost sculptural quality. The paint is layered, creating a sense of depth. You can almost feel the texture of the wood carving, the way the light would catch on those ridges and curves. It reminds me of some of the folk art I've seen, this real dedication to craft. There's a kind of unassuming ambition in it, too. I think it’s interesting to consider the relationship between this artwork and the broader history of naturalistic representation, where fixed meanings often clash with the unpredictable and playful nature of artistic creation.