Table Pedestal 1936

Arthur Johnson's "Table Pedestal" is rendered with watercolor and graphite, creating a dance between precision and fluidity. The color palette, dominated by warm reds and browns, gives the piece a grounded, earthy feel. Looking closely, the tabletop shows delicate, almost transparent washes of color, allowing the graphite under-drawing to peek through. This peek-a-boo effect highlights the process, making it feel as though the drawing is still in the making. The artist is letting us in on the secret! I’m drawn to the way Johnson uses subtle gradations of color to create the illusion of depth and form. It reminds me of the work of furniture makers like Thomas Chippendale, who also elevated craftsmanship to an art form. But, unlike Chippendale, Johnson is concerned less with the final product, and more with the making. Here, the conversation between drawing and color is the thing. It's a testament to the power of embracing ambiguity and the beauty of the unfinished.