Envelope Opener c. 1939

Walter W. Jennings made this envelope opener from watercolour and graphite. I can imagine him experimenting with different brushstrokes to find just the right texture for the bird's feathers, the smooth curve of its wings. I know that feeling well. Maybe Jennings was thinking about how a bird in flight symbolizes freedom, and here it is about to release your mail from its paper cage! I like how the neutral color palette lets the form speak for itself. It’s like he’s saying, ‘Look, simplicity can be powerful.’ The slight imperfections give it a handmade quality. And it reminds me of some folk art I’ve seen, where the artist’s personality shines through every mark. It's these little gestures that make a piece feel alive and human. These are the types of works that show us how artists, through time, inspire each other.