Branding Iron c. 1942

This is Elizabeth Johnson’s ‘Branding Iron’, made with watercolor on paper. There's something deeply satisfying about the way Johnson meticulously renders this utilitarian object. The colors are muted, earthy – browns and tans that give it a kind of nostalgic feel. I love how Johnson seems to revel in the process. You can almost feel the artist's hand as she carefully builds up the layers of color. Look at the details on the iron itself: you can see where the paint is thicker, creating texture and depth. The way the light hits the metal is so subtly captured, giving it a real sense of weight and presence. The rendering feels both precise and intuitive. It makes me think of other artists, like Vija Celmins, who also find beauty in the everyday. There's something about taking a mundane object and elevating it through close observation that speaks to me. Art isn't just about grand gestures; it's about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.