Betty Lamp c. 1941

Stella Mosher made this drawing of a Betty Lamp, we're not sure when, but it's done with what looks like delicate watercolor washes. The tones are so warm, almost sepia, giving a feeling of age and nostalgia. You can see how Mosher allows the pigment to settle into the paper, creating soft gradations of light and shadow that define the form. I love the way the lamp seems to float on the page, tethered only by that delicate chain. It's like a memory, preserved in pigment and paper. The texture of the lamp itself is rendered with such care. Look closely at the way Mosher uses the wash to create a sense of depth and roundness. Notice the subtle variations in tone that suggest the play of light on the lamp's surface. This drawing reminds me of the quiet, intimate still lives of Giorgio Morandi. Both artists share a fascination with the beauty of everyday objects and the way that light can transform the mundane into something extraordinary. Art is an ongoing conversation!