Shaker Rocking Chair c. 1938

Lon Cronk’s ‘Shaker Rocking Chair’ is a small watercolour on paper, and what I find interesting is the way a seemingly simple, functional object is rendered with so much care and attention. The colours are muted, mostly earth tones and a gentle palette of browns, which gives a sense of warmth and quiet. What I like about the painting is the visible texture. You can see the layering of the paint, and how each mark builds up the form. The artist hasn’t tried to hide the process, but rather makes it part of the work. Look at the surface of the chair, the way the watercolour pools and settles in the paper's grain, creating tiny patterns, almost like the weave of fabric. It gives the image a kind of tactile presence, almost as though you could reach out and touch it. It reminds me a little of Agnes Martin’s subtle, quiet works – both artists share this ability to make something profound out of the everyday. It’s a good reminder that art isn’t about answers but rather about inviting us to look closely and see the world in new ways.