Toy Rocking Horse c. 1936

This 'Toy Rocking Horse', painted by John Fisk, is like a blueprint of a memory, set down in watercolor. The way the colour is applied, almost like a wash, suggests a process of layering and revealing, much like how memories surface over time. The texture is fascinating; it’s smooth but speckled, giving the impression of weathered wood. Look closely, you can almost feel the grain beneath the paint. The colour palette is muted, a melange of greys and browns, like faded photographs. The artist plays with opacity, allowing hints of the paper to peek through, creating a sense of depth. The rough hewn timber section on the body of the horse stands out, a subtle reminder of the original material from which it was made. Fisk seems to share an affinity with artists like Joseph Cornell, who found beauty in the everyday and transformed ordinary objects into extraordinary artifacts. It's a reminder that art doesn't always need to shout; sometimes, it whispers.