Weather Vane Finial c. 1938

Nicholas Acampora made this Weather Vane Finial, probably with watercolor on paper, and I'm really feeling its vibe. I imagine Acampora, a folk artist, bending over the paper to depict this prancing horse, trying to get its energy just right. The strokes are careful, but you can also feel a kind of freedom in the way the horse’s legs reach out, like it's dancing. There's a beautiful, deep brown wash, and the way it pools in certain areas gives the horse its form and weight. The paint is thin, which allows the whiteness of the paper to shine through, creating a luminous effect. You know, painting is like having a conversation with other artists, across time. Each stroke, each choice of color, builds on what others have done before. And it’s not about being perfect, but about embracing the unexpected. What a great find!