Shaker Secretary Desk c. 1937

John W. Kelleher made this "Shaker Secretary Desk" with who knows what, maybe watercolor or gouache, and a tiny tiny brush. I wonder what Kelleher was thinking, all those years after the Shakers were at their peak? Was he imagining this piece of furniture in use? The drawers, doors, and surfaces must have been so satisfying to render. Look at the way the light bounces off the wooden surface! It's clear that this painting is an act of love, a kind of homage to the Shaker aesthetic. This piece stands on its own; it does its own thing, but also evokes Agnes Martin's grids, and also some guy carefully drawing, like Hokusai or some other printmaker. You know, those two artists probably weren't thinking about each other, but they both contributed to a conversation. Artists are always looking, aren’t they? They take things in, they borrow, they steal, they share, and they keep the dialogue of art alive. So, next time you're at a desk, or drawing one, think about Kelleher and the Shakers.