Cock Weather Vane c. 1938

This watercolor of a Cock Weather Vane was made by Hazel Hyde sometime in the 20th century. Look at the earthy palette, burnt sienna, and shades of brown, the feathered textures, and the way it’s aged, like an ancient artifact. I can imagine Hazel Hyde, studying that rooster, trying to capture its essence, its character. Maybe she squinted, trying to see past the details, finding the right angle, the perfect line, that would bring it alive on paper. The painting isn't about perfection; it's about feeling, capturing a moment, a memory, and letting it speak on its own terms. Look at the date inscribed on its side. The cock becomes a time capsule, a moment suspended and relived. Think about outsider art and folk art. Artists are in an ongoing conversation, inspiring each other, riffing off ideas, and creating something new. There are no mistakes in art, just happy accidents, new directions, and unexpected turns.