Wooden Eagle c. 1939

Here's Henry Murphy's study of a wooden eagle, made with graphite and watercolor on paper. I can just imagine Murphy hunched over this drawing, teasing out the details of the wood carving. The contrast between the creamy whites and the deep, cool blue reminds me of Diebenkorn’s Ocean Park series. What I love most about looking at this drawing is how the eye jumps around, trying to make sense of the texture of the feathers and the weight of the body. And it makes you think—how does one even begin to capture the intricate play of light and shadow on such a complex form? I imagine he had to simplify, emphasize, and invent in equal measure. It’s like he’s saying, “Okay, wood, I see you, I feel you, now let’s see if I can translate you.” Isn't that the job of us painters? It’s this constant conversation, this dance of interpretation that makes painting so alive.