English Bay 1927

Levon West made this print, “English Bay,” with etching, in 1922. It's a silvery image of two riders on horseback, wading through a body of water. I imagine West, hunched over a metal plate, carefully scratching the surface to create these delicate lines. Maybe he was thinking about how light reflects off the water, creating a sense of movement. The trees on the shore look kind of jagged; they must have taken many small marks to achieve that effect. The riders themselves are a bit blurry, as if they are emerging from a dream. I wonder where they are going and what they are thinking? The whole scene feels suspended, like a moment caught between breaths. In a way, all artists are in a conversation with each other, borrowing ideas and techniques across time. Levon West's print is a reminder of the quiet beauty that can be found in the world if you pay attention.