Shaker Porch Bench 1935 - 1942

Lon Cronk made this watercolour and graphite drawing of a ‘Shaker Porch Bench’, though we don’t know when. The colour is amazing, a kind of brick red that has a real graphic quality, almost as though it were painted with printer's ink. I love the way the subtle variations of tone and shading show the texture of the wood. It is easy to see the different strokes Cronk used. In some areas, the paint is applied more thickly, creating a sense of depth and shadow, while in others, it is thin and translucent, allowing the paper to show through. Look closely at the upright supports of the bench, you can see how the artist layered the paint to create a sense of volume and solidity. The overall effect is both simple and sophisticated. It reminds me of work by Agnes Martin, with its interest in everyday objects, clean lines, and quiet meditative mood. It’s a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation, with each artist building on the ideas and techniques of those who came before. I love the way this drawing invites us to slow down, observe, and appreciate the beauty of the everyday.