Clock c. 1936

Lawrence Phillips made this drawing of a clock. The palette is warm, like the wood of the clock itself, but the lines are precise, economical. It makes me think about how an artist chooses what to include, and what to leave out. Look at the wood grain, rendered with such care. See how the brown is built up in layers to give a sense of depth, but the details are still clearly visible, like the little diamond pattern below the clock face. It’s not exactly photorealistic, but it has a quiet, insistent presence. The texture of the paper showing through adds another layer, like the passing of time itself. This clock reminds me a bit of the work of some of the early American modernists like Charles Demuth, who found beauty in the everyday. But Phillips brings a folk art sensibility to his work. Art is always a conversation, and Phillips is listening in.