Shelf Clock c. 1938

This "Shelf Clock" comes to us from the hand of Frank Wenger, sometime between 1855 and 1955. It's all laid down in watercolor on paper, and you can almost feel the artist figuring it out as he goes. I love how the wood grain is implied with these subtle, parallel strokes. It's not about perfection but the feel of the thing. Look at that central panel, those radiating lines like a sunburst, rendered in earthy greens and yellows! There's such care in the details, in how he's envisioned the final form. You can almost feel him making decisions about each shape and line as he goes, each application of color. There's a charming awkwardness that reminds me of some of the early American folk art I’ve seen. But, unlike those untrained artists, Wenger had a formal grasp of perspective and design. It's a space where intention meets accident, where precision meets a kind of beautiful, human wonkiness. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.