Bride's Bureau c. 1941

Archie Thompson rendered "Bride's Bureau" with incredible detail and precision using watercolor on paper. I can almost feel the smooth surface of the bureau's marble top and sense the cool reflection of the mirror. I wonder about Archie, what did the process look like, did he begin with light washes, gradually building up the depth of color and texture? It's so methodically painted, especially when you consider the careful use of light and shadow to create form, giving the bureau a solid, three-dimensional presence. I imagine Archie was a very patient artist, someone who found joy in the quiet contemplation of objects, carefully observing their subtle details and textures. Like Morandi who dedicated his life to painting bottles, Thompson focused on the structure of the object. There's a lot of love in that. It's like he's inviting us to pause and appreciate the simple beauty of everyday things, which is what all artists do, really, just in their own way.