Weather Vane c. 1938

This drawing of a Weather Vane was made by John B. Moll, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. The way he’s handled the watercolor feels so process-oriented, like he's trying to figure out how this thing works, how the wind catches it and how it turns. There's something about the rusty, earthy palette that really grabs me. Look at the texture on that arrow, the way the color shifts and blends. It's like he's not just depicting the object, but also the effects of time and weather on it. The little constellation of stars punched into the arrow is just gorgeous. It's a simple detail, but it speaks volumes about the relationship between the man-made and the natural world. You know, it reminds me a little of some of Charles Burchfield's architectural studies, the way he imbues ordinary buildings with a sense of mystery and personality. Both artists seem to be saying that there's beauty and meaning to be found in the everyday, if you just take the time to look. And maybe, just maybe, figure out how the wind blows.