"Sea Chest", U.S. Navy 1935 - 1942

Willoughby Ions made this watercolor of a U.S. Navy "Sea Chest," and you know, it's all about the layers of brown, a bit like seeing the world through sepia-toned glasses. The way Ions handles the paint, it feels like he’s building up the form with thin washes, letting the paper peek through. Look at the surface of the chest, how it mimics the grain of the wood. It’s not just about depicting an object; it’s about capturing the texture and feel of it. There’s this one spot on the side, where the brown deepens almost to black. It gives depth, but it also adds a sense of mystery, like the chest holds secrets. Ions work reminds me of Marsden Hartley’s still life paintings, but with a softer edge. But in the end, it is the way Ions uses paint to bring this object to life, making us wonder about the stories it could tell, that’s the real trick.