Wall Clock c. 1937

This "Wall Clock" was made by John Cutting, using what looks like watercolor or colored pencil, with a clear, descriptive approach to the subject. You can really see the hand of the artist in the small irregularities of the form and the variations in color. The drawing has a warmth in its rendering of the wood grain and details, using small marks and subtle gradations of color. It's not trying to trick you into thinking it's the real thing, but more interested in the qualities of observation and the way marks can describe something. I’m drawn to the pendulum, how the rendering of the circular form contrasts with the straight lines of the clock’s architecture. It’s a moment of visual relief. This reminds me of the Shaker craft tradition, with its emphasis on simplicity, utility, and the beauty of handmade objects. It’s not about perfection, but about celebrating the process and the connection between the maker and the object. Art doesn’t always have to shout; sometimes it whispers.