Handcarved Toy c. 1939

This small watercolor drawing of a handcarved toy was made by Betty Jean Davis sometime in the 20th century. It's so delicate, you can see the build-up of the pale, watery layers of paint. The toy itself is like a mini-sculpture, all wood and subtle turns, and Davis has really captured the feeling of it. The grain of the wood is rendered with such care. Look at the way the legs of the top figure are painted in different hues, as if they're caught in different light. It's the kind of attention to detail that makes you realize she wasn't just copying what she saw, but really looking and feeling her way through the process of painting. I think Davis shares an affinity with artists like Bill Traylor, in that she makes art from the everyday and elevates it to something special. Both artists ask us to slow down and really see the world around us. They remind us that art isn't just about grand gestures, it's about the quiet moments of observation and transformation.