Tin Sconce 1935 - 1942

Majel G. Claflin made this 'Tin Sconce' using watercolour, and what I love is how the layers create subtle shifts, almost like a ghostly echo of the object. It's like she's trying to catch light itself. Look at the way the watercolour pools and bleeds, particularly around the candle. There's a real looseness, a sense of the hand. It's not about precision, but more about capturing the essence of the sconce, the way the light flickers. The whole painting is an arrangement of greys, except for the candle, which glows in a muted yellow hue. There is an area around the candle that is smudged, creating a sense of movement that feels so right. This piece reminds me a little of some of those Shaker artists, finding beauty in simple, functional objects. It's this quiet observation, a celebration of the everyday that can hold so much meaning. It shows how art can find its way into the most unexpected corners.