Wick Trimmer 1941

Herman O. Stroh made this beautiful watercolour drawing of a Wick Trimmer on paper at an unknown date. The focus on a simple, functional object is really intriguing. It's as though Stroh is asking us to slow down, to really consider the beauty in the everyday. Look at the precision in those lines, the delicate shading that gives the metal a worn, almost nostalgic quality. The detail suggests a deep engagement with the object, perhaps even affection. I imagine Stroh, lost in concentration, carefully studying the form and texture of the trimmer. Maybe he was thinking about the people who used it, the history it held in its worn edges. He brings out the patina and the history of the object with such care. It reminds me of the way folk artists elevate ordinary items to something precious through close observation and honest representation. Each stroke feels deliberate. These quiet acts of attention, whether in painting or daily life, are what connect us to the world and each other.