One Horse Sleigh c. 1936

Aaron Fastovsky made this drawing of a one-horse sleigh sometime during his long life between 1855 and 1995. I imagine Fastovsky carefully constructing the form of the sleigh with simple lines and washes of color. There's a kind of tenderness in how he’s rendered it, a palpable feel for the object. The choice of watercolor and graphite lends itself to a certain lightness, almost like a memory of a sleigh rather than the thing itself. Look at the color palette. These delicate pinks and purples evoke a sense of nostalgia. I wonder if he was thinking about his childhood, picturing snowy landscapes and winter rides. Or maybe he was just drawn to the elegant shape of the sleigh itself. It reminds me that every painting, drawing, or sculpture is part of an ongoing conversation with other artists. Fastovsky, like all of us, builds upon the work of those who came before, adding his unique perspective to the mix. In the end, art is all about this exchange of ideas and experiences, inspiring us to see the world in new ways.