Horse Weather Vane c. 1938

Lloyd Broome made this Horse Weather Vane—I don't know when, but it's fun to imagine him working on it in his studio. The colors are pared back. A light tan for the body, with a grey mane and tail. It reminds me of those folk art pieces where the simplicity feels so knowing, like the artist has really nailed the essence of the thing. You can see each stroke, feel the texture of the paint. There's something so direct and honest about it. I like how the horse is captured mid-stride, all four hooves off the ground. You can almost feel the wind rushing past it. Maybe Broome was thinking about motion, about capturing a fleeting moment in time. It’s like he’s saying, "Here’s my horse, caught in the act of running." I feel such admiration for painters who have the confidence to simplify and make something so compelling with just a few well-placed strokes. It is a very personal way of working, one that feels so authentic.