Man's Shoes c. 1936

Roberta Spicer made "Man's Shoes" with watercolor, and pencil, on paper. The way Spicer’s watercolor teases out the textures and light of a shoe is fascinating, each layer subtly building form and depth. Note how the black of the shoe’s body isn’t just one flat tone; it shifts, breathes, suggesting the give and flex of well-worn leather. I appreciate the ghostly outlines of the shoe's form to the back of the image, the different perspectives, and the way it feels like she’s mapping out not just an object, but an idea. Spicer’s technique reminds me a bit of Agnes Martin, in that the overall impact comes from these quiet, repetitive gestures. It is about the slow accumulation of moments into something whole and deeply felt. This piece feels so much more than just a rendering of a shoe; it’s a meditation on craft, care, and the quiet dignity of everyday objects. There's a lot of ambiguity here, and I like that.