Serpent Weather Vane c. 1938

Lloyd Broome painted this watercolor of a serpent weather vane, and what strikes me is the approach to mark-making, the controlled palette, all of which give a sense of artmaking as a careful, considered process. The material aspects of the work are interesting, the texture is smooth, and the colors are muted, earthy, giving a sense of age. Broome used thin, transparent paint, allowing the paper to show through and create a sense of depth. The scales of the serpent are suggested with fine lines, carefully applied, and the overall effect is one of realism tempered with a touch of whimsy. Look at the way the serpent coils, each loop perfectly spaced, creating a sense of balance and harmony. You could say this piece has something in common with the work of Joseph Yoakum, in that both artists share a fascination with the natural world, depicted through a unique and personal lens. Art embraces ambiguity, isn't that wonderful?