Wood Carving - Shell c. 1939

This is an undated watercolor of a carved shell by Clayton Clements, and what strikes me is the light touch, the way the tones wash into each other, making something hard seem soft. It’s like a ghost of something real. Look at the way Clements teases out the wood grain with these delicate layers, not trying to hide the marks of the brush but letting them build up, like rings on a tree stump. The color palette is muted and earthy, all browns and tans, giving the piece a kind of quiet dignity. There is a split that runs down the centre of the shell, which feels honest and true to the process of carving. It isn’t perfect, and all the better for it. It reminds me of some of Marsden Hartley’s late paintings, with that same folksy quality and reverence for everyday objects. Ultimately, it’s not about perfection but about the beauty found in imperfection.