Shaker Blanket Chest c. 1936

Ray Holden made this watercolour, "Shaker Blanket Chest," and it’s like a quiet conversation with a piece of furniture. The reddish-brown hues, they're not just descriptive; they're about warmth, about how we live with objects. Look closely, and you see the hand of the artist, how the watercolour bleeds ever so slightly. The chest isn’t just represented, it's almost felt. The colour sits in a way that reveals the grain of the wood, which is the real subject here. I’m drawn to the lower section, the decorative feet. It’s so simple, yet full of personality. It reminds me a little of Agnes Martin, in the way she uses simple forms to hint at something profound. Like the Shakers and the Minimalists, Holden has something similar in mind. It’s about the joy in making, the beauty in utility, and how an everyday object can hold so much meaning.