Wick Trimmer 1941

Herman O. Stroh's 'Wick Trimmer' is a curious object rendered in watercolor; it's a pair of scissors made for a very specific purpose. You can almost feel Stroh feeling his way around the form, delicately trying to capture it in paint. The colors are muted, almost as if the metal of the trimmer has aged and patinated over time. The way the light catches the edges of the blades, that’s process right there. Stroh’s not just showing us a tool; he's exploring the way light defines form, the way color can suggest texture. Look closely at the joint where the blades meet. The artist lingers here, almost lovingly, defining the mechanics. It reminds me a little of Morandi, in the way he turned humble, everyday objects into things of wonder. Ultimately, art is about noticing, isn't it? And Stroh, with his quiet, focused attention, invites us to notice too.