Chalkware Bird c. 1940

J. Herman McCollum created this Chalkware Bird, at an unknown date, with watercolor and graphite on paper. Look at how he’s built up the color: these aren’t flat areas of paint, but a network of small marks. I love how this gives a sense of texture, almost like you could reach out and feel the grain of the chalkware. And that’s important, as this isn't just a picture of a bird. It's a picture *of something*. McCollum is showing us the beauty of a very specific, handmade object. The pale yellow of the bird's body isn’t smooth, it's broken up with little scuffs and scratches, glimpses of the white paper underneath. Then you have the wing. That single, almost teardrop-shaped dab of green gives weight to the whole composition. And look at the base, how it’s shaded with delicate graphite marks, anchoring the bird to the ground. There’s a real charm here. It reminds me of the work of Bill Traylor, who found so much beauty in the everyday. It's a reminder that art isn't just about high concepts, but about seeing the world with fresh eyes.