Weather Vane c. 1936

This ‘Weather Vane’ painting by Elmer G. Anderson is an interesting example of what can be achieved with a limited color palette. Anderson sticks to muted earth tones which gives the piece a kind of understated beauty. The application is so flat, it’s almost as if it’s been printed rather than painted. But look closer, and you can see subtle variations in texture. There’s an almost topographic quality to the way Anderson has built up the surface, creating a landscape of tiny peaks and valleys that catch the light in different ways. In the darker areas, especially around the belly of the leaping deer, you can see how the paint has pooled and settled, creating a sense of depth and shadow. It reminds me a little of Agnes Martin. Not in terms of style or subject matter, of course, but in the way that both artists use subtle variations in texture and color to create a sense of depth and movement. Both encourage us to slow down, to look closer, and to appreciate the beauty in the everyday.