Rosewood Chair c. 1936

Rex F. Bush made this sweet little watercolour and graphite drawing of a rosewood chair. I just love the challenge of rendering something three-dimensional on a flat surface, like trying to capture the essence of a chair with just a few lines and washes. I can imagine Bush, squinting at the chair, trying to get the curves of the legs just right, coaxing the graphite to mimic the light playing on the wood. The velvety blue cushion - it’s such a contrast to the smooth, hard wood. It reminds me that painting is more than just copying what you see; it's about feeling your way through the world, translating textures and forms into something new. It makes you want to create something of your own! It's this kind of quiet observation, this connection between the hand, the eye, and the heart, that keeps the conversation of art alive.