Needle and Pin Case c. 1937

Ann Gene Buckley made this watercolor of needle and pin cases on paper and look at the way she’s approached rendering these objects; it's almost as if she's building them up from flat shapes. This feels so much like the process of art-making itself. Buckley’s piece emphasizes the textures, colors, and the surface of the objects. The paint appears thin and somewhat transparent, allowing the paper to peek through, creating a kind of luminosity. Look at the olive-colored case at the bottom. See how the brushstrokes create a subtle, almost moss-like texture? It’s not just flat color; there’s a real sense of depth there. The pink ribbon bows on each case add a delicate touch of whimsy, don’t they? Buckley's work reminds me a bit of some of Marsden Hartley’s still lifes. Like Hartley, Buckley embraces simplicity and a direct, almost childlike way of seeing. It's a reminder that art can be about opening our eyes to the beauty and wonder in the everyday.