Jar c. 1937

Annie B. Johnston painted this jar, a watercolour on paper, in a folksy, loving way. The muted palette gives it an almost dreamlike quality, like a memory softened by time. What strikes me is the confidence in the drawing - the gentle modelling of the cylindrical body of the jar and the soft, blended brushstrokes. It’s not about slick realism, but about capturing the essence of this everyday object. Then there's that cobalt blue floral design, a burst of energy against the muted background. Each little brushstroke feels deliberate, almost like a secret code. The flower itself seems to nod to the more decorative sensibilities of someone like Henri Matisse. Johnston’s piece, in its simplicity and unassuming charm, reminds us that art isn’t always about grand gestures, but about finding beauty in the ordinary.