Gold Thimble c. 1937

This is George Seideneck's Gold Thimble, made with pen and ink and watercolor. It's funny how such a simple object can hold so much charm. The color palette is restrained, mostly golds and browns, but within that, there’s this subtle variation, a quiet kind of beauty. You can see the hand of the artist in every mark, a real feeling of care and attention. Look closely, you can almost feel the texture of the metal, smooth on the band but rougher on the top. It is not just a rendering of an object. It’s more like a meditation, a way of thinking about the world through the act of making. The floral designs have a kind of baroque quality. It reminds me a little of Alfred Jensen, who was similarly interested in making art about everyday objects. Ultimately, though, it’s about the pleasure of looking, of seeing the world with fresh eyes, and finding beauty in the most unexpected places.