Cow Bell #6 (With Star) c. 1936

Dorothy Brennan made "Cow Bell #6 (With Star)" using what looks like watercolour. I find myself imagining Brennan in her studio. I can picture her focusing intently on the metallic bell, the light glinting on its surface. You can tell she was really looking. The star detail is so specific, it gives the whole work a glow. Maybe she liked the contrast of the rusted brown against the pale background, or the way the rough metal catches and reflects light. It's like she's inviting us to really see this everyday object, with all its imperfections and history, giving you a glimpse into the life of the cow, the farmer, and the fields where it roamed. This echoes other artists who find beauty in the mundane, like Morandi with his bottles, or even Wayne Thiebaud and his cakes. Brennan prompts us to pause and consider the stories behind the things we often overlook. I love that painting can do that, don't you?