Conestoga Wagon Jack 1935 - 1942

Edward Loper made this watercolor painting, "Conestoga Wagon Jack", at an undetermined date. Just look at the detailed brushwork here. The marks coalesce to describe the worn surface of the wooden and metal tool. I really enjoy how Loper uses the watercolor medium to mimic the look and feel of the jack itself. The way he layers the colors to create the sense of depth and texture, so tactile, you almost want to reach out and touch it! The contrast between the smooth paper and the rough, weathered appearance of the wagon jack is striking, creating a visual tension that really holds my attention. It's as if Loper is inviting us to contemplate the relationship between the handmade object and the natural world from which it came. His close attention to the object reminds me of the work of Charles Sheeler, who found beauty in simple, utilitarian forms. This piece shows how art can be found in the most unexpected places.