Ranch Chair c. 1937

Verna Tallman made this watercolor of a ranch chair and its back; it looks like a study of vernacular design, or furniture making. I can imagine Verna observing this chair closely, trying to capture the essence of its form. It’s really beautifully done. There is something about the texture of the wood, which looks solid yet inviting. And I think it might have been painted from life; I wonder if the woven seat fascinated Verna? You can imagine how that might feel to sit on, that slight give, the way the air moves through the gaps. It’s interesting how the artist chose to represent both the chair and the back, almost like an exploded diagram. I am reminded of other artists who have been interested in vernacular forms, like Philip Guston or Fairfield Porter. It’s as if Verna is saying: Look closely, this object has beauty and complexity that is worth exploring. The painting becomes a celebration of the ordinary and the handmade. What could be more beautiful?