Boy's Waistcoat c. 1936

Here's an elegant rendering of a Boy's Waistcoat in watercolor and graphite by Syrena Swanson. I'm struck by how the artist has chosen to depict this garment, presenting us with both a front and back view. It makes me wonder about Swanson's intentions. What was she thinking as she meticulously outlined the shape and details of this garment? Maybe she was interested in the cut of the cloth, the fall of the form? You can see the faint graphite lines of the original drawing underneath the final layer of watercolor. They give a sense of the hand-made. It's this quiet observation that pulls me in, reminding me of other artists who found beauty in the everyday and found a means of expression through the careful observation of the details. It’s a testament to how art helps us see the world with new eyes, appreciating the ordinary in extraordinary ways.