Easy Chair 1937

Arthur Johnson made this watercolor of an ‘Easy Chair’ in an unspecified year. The palette is super interesting – soft pinks, greens and browns create a kind of muted tropical vibe. Johnson's handling of the watercolor gives it this wonderful textured quality. It's like you can feel the plushness of the chair just by looking at the painting. See how the colors blend softly, creating a dreamy, almost fuzzy effect? Look at the way the pink roses are interspersed with the green palm fronds and brown birds. It's not just a representation of a chair; it’s an invitation to imagine sinking into its cushioned embrace. This piece makes me think of David Hockney, who also had a knack for capturing the essence of everyday objects and spaces in his paintings. Like Hockney, Johnson finds beauty in the mundane, turning a simple piece of furniture into an object of contemplation and delight. Art, after all, is about seeing the world in new and unexpected ways.