Shaker Cupboard c. 1938

John W. Kelleher made this small watercolor painting of a Shaker cupboard sometime in the 20th century, and what strikes me is how simply and carefully rendered it is. Imagine Kelleher, in his studio or on location, mixing delicate washes of color to capture the subtle grain of the wood and the cool shadows on the wall. He must have been a patient person. I like how he shows how light bounces around a room. He is noticing things. I love the way that the clean lines and pared-down aesthetic evoke the Shaker values of simplicity and functionality. It feels very contemporary. It reminds me of some of the work by Agnes Martin. Whether they knew each other or not, artists are always looking and responding to what others are doing. It is this exchange of ideas that keeps art alive, don’t you think?