Country Store 1939

This black and white painting of a Country Store was made by Reginald Wilson, but when exactly, is hard to place. I find this image so haunting. The overcast sky makes me think it's about to storm, or maybe the storm has already passed. It's painted so simply, but the artist has paid great attention to the decoration of the shop front. These details feel like small, intimate doodles. The paint handling is really interesting too, the sky and road are almost washy, loose and free, which contrasts with the tight decorative detail on the building. Look at that single figure leaning against the wall. His arms are crossed, and he’s looking off to the left of the shop. He seems so forlorn. I'm reminded of Edward Hopper, another master of conveying a sense of isolation and loneliness in American life. Ultimately, this piece resonates with the quiet dignity and understated beauty often found in outsider art. It's a real gem.