Eagle from Tugboat Wheelhouse c. 1939

John W. Kelleher made this watercolor of an eagle from a Tugboat Wheelhouse, we're not sure exactly when. I love how the artist approaches each feather with careful attention, laying down individual strokes that together create a sense of depth and texture. You can really see the process unfolding. The colors, mostly muted browns and golds, give a feeling of something aged and timeless, like a memory fading at the edges. Notice the way Kelleher captures the light on the eagle’s wings, how each stroke seems to follow the curve of a feather, catching the light just so. The paint is applied with a delicate touch, almost transparent in places, which adds to the sense of fragility and impermanence. The base, a green sphere wrapped in rope, it is as though the eagle is tethered to the earth, despite its capacity for soaring flight. This piece reminds me a little of Marsden Hartley's interest in American folk art, that same celebration of simple, direct expression. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art isn't about perfect representations, but about embracing the beauty of imperfection and the ongoing conversation between artists across time.