Weather Vane Finial c. 1938

Helen Hobart made this drawing of a weather vane, we don't know exactly when, using graphite and watercolour. It's kind of magical how she captures the metallic sheen of the rooster with just shades of grey, isn’t it? I’m really drawn to the way she's built up the form with these tiny, almost scribbled lines. Look closely at the rooster's neck. You can see the delicate hatching that gives it volume and texture. It’s as if Hobart is gently coaxing the image into being, one tiny mark at a time. This reminds me of working on a painting, that feeling of slowly building up layers and watching the image emerge from the surface. This kind of careful, almost meditative approach reminds me a little of Agnes Martin, even though their work looks totally different. It’s about the quiet, repetitive gesture, the way the hand can create something so delicate and strong at the same time. Art is a conversation, isn't it?