Chair (Jack Knife Type) c. 1937

Rex F. Bush made this drawing of a "Jack Knife Type" chair sometime in the 20th Century. It's rendered in a pale palette: sandy, woodsy colors, and light tans. I wonder what it was like for Bush, sitting in front of that chair, trying to capture its essence with paint on paper. He really paid attention to the wickerwork and the subtle light playing on the rounded wooden supports. You can see his careful strokes defining the edges and the delicate weaving of the seat. I love the simplicity, almost like a folk song reduced to its most essential chords. Bush invites us to consider everyday objects, prompting a quiet contemplation of form, function, and the beauty of the handmade. His work reminds me of Fairfield Porter, another artist who painted the overlooked corners of life. Artists are always talking to one another this way, across time, inspiring each other to see the world anew.