Paperweight c. 1940

Roberta Spicer made this watercolor of a paperweight sometime in the 20th century. I love how the white of the object is built up with careful, almost hesitant strokes. You can sense Spicer feeling her way around the form. The paperweight sits there, pale and solid, with just a hint of gold to accent its edges and details. It’s like she’s trying to capture not just its appearance but its weight, its presence. Look closely at the way Spicer renders the eagle's feathers - each one is subtly different, full of delicate variation. It reminds me of Morandi in a way, who did a lot of still life paintings of bottles. This close looking gives the artwork a meditative quality, a sense of quiet observation. It’s a reminder that even the simplest objects can hold endless fascination if we take the time to really see them.