Spice Box c. 1940

Frank Budash made this little watercolor painting of a spice box, and I’m already wondering what kind of spices would be kept in there! The wood grain is so carefully observed, it’s like he’s trying to feel it with his eyes. You can almost smell the woody texture, like an old drawer in your grandmother's house. The drawers themselves, slightly open, invite curiosity and even a little rummaging. It’s all about line work here, with the hatching marks giving the box form. I can imagine Frank Budash, sitting in a quiet room, maybe with a cup of tea, really focusing on this object. It reminds me a little of Morandi, who also painted the same simple forms again and again, exploring their subtle variations. There’s something so meditative and focused about this little painting. And it’s a reminder that simple things, observed closely, can be totally absorbing.