Pa. German Weather Vane 1935 - 1942

This watercolour drawing, made by Elmer Kottcamp, presents a Pa. German Weather Vane. It's all in muted tones, like a memory fading into sepia. Just imagine Kottcamp, bending over his paper, carefully rendering the details of this folk art object. He's not just copying it; he's channeling the spirit of the original maker. I bet the original was carved with love! I'm curious about the texture of the wood, how it feels in the hand. And look at the way Kottcamp uses washes of color to suggest depth and shadow. It's kind of understated, but it gives the weather vane a real presence. Do you notice the precision of line, the way each stroke defines the form? It reminds me a bit of Charles Sheeler’s sharp focus and attention to detail, celebrating the everyday and the handmade. Artists are constantly talking to each other across time. Kottcamp found beauty and significance in a humble object, inviting us to do the same. It’s a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places, and that the act of looking is itself a creative act.