Toilette Box c. 1940

John Cutting painted this ‘Toilette Box’ without a date. Isn't it funny how an everyday object can become art when someone really looks at it? The painting is all about texture. You can almost feel the slightly faded, patterned paper covering the box. Look closely at the way Cutting uses paint. See how the brushstrokes aren't trying to hide? He lets the paint do its thing, creating a surface that's both delicate and kind of rough. The colors, a muted mix of blues, greens, and pinks, give it a dreamy, vintage feel. Notice how the simple oval shape of the box is repeated and distorted. There's something so honest about how Cutting captures this object, it reminds me a little of Morandi and his bottles. Both artists find something really interesting in overlooked corners. It reminds us that art can be found in the most unexpected places if we just take the time to really see.