Candlestick Sconce 1935 - 1942

This watercolor of a candlestick sconce was made by Majel G. Claflin, though the exact date is unknown. I love how the grey wash floats across the surface of the arch, and the way the colours appear both flat and translucent. This feels like a painting that's really about colour; a playful, simple and confident exploration. Look at the way Claflin has rendered the candles, that slight smudge of grey, hinting at shadow and depth. The red and green diamonds look like they're stenciled on, but it's the off-kilter rhythm that gives this piece its charm. There's a wonkiness to the arch that gives it a very human feel, like something found in a children’s book, a bit like the work of Roger Duvoisin. Claflin’s painting embraces the process of image making, it's not afraid of being a little rough around the edges, and that's what makes it so damn appealing.