Weather Vane c. 1941

Elmer R. Kottcamp made this watercolor of a weather vane sometime in the mid-20th century. I love the way it feels both precise and a little bit wonky, like something remembered from childhood. You can see the light touch in the grey washes that build up the form of the rooster and the directional letters. The paint is thin, almost transparent in places, letting the paper breathe through. I wonder if Kottcamp was thinking about the real object as he painted, or if he was just letting his hand wander and explore the shapes. That little red crown on the rooster feels so right. It’s like a burst of energy, a tiny spark of joy. It makes me think about other artists who were drawn to everyday objects, like Wayne Thiebaud and his cakes, or even the folk artists who actually made weather vanes. There’s this whole conversation happening across time, people finding beauty and meaning in the simplest things.