Pa. German Bowl c. 1938

This Pennsylvania German bowl was carefully rendered in watercolor by Alvin Shiren. The color palette here is earthy, warm, and tonal. I imagine Shiren sitting and patiently recreating every detail of the bowl, each small triangle carved into the lid, the carefully curved handle, and the acorn on top. It makes me think about my work, I also start with the details, almost compulsively, building up an image through layers of mark-making, but then there is also something quite different here. What I think about most is Shiren's care and attention, trying to capture the texture of the ceramic, that soft, matte surface, and the play of light across it. Looking closely at his work reminds me that painting is about careful observation and interpretation, a conversation across time, in which we pay attention to the world and to each other.