Woman's Shoe 1935 - 1942

This Woman’s Shoe was made by an anonymous artist, and it's done in watercolor. There's something so direct and unassuming about this kind of study. It makes me think about the simple pleasure of really looking. The artist is interested in the form, and the nuances of the shoe's color. Note how the color isn't one flat green, but varies with the light, going from deep, forest hues to lighter, almost turquoise shades. The brushwork is delicate and controlled, but also immediate, capturing the texture of the fabric, especially where the laces cross. The dark toe cap is rendered with careful gradations of tone, almost sculptural in its effect. I am reminded of the work of Fairfield Porter, who also found beauty in the everyday, and like him, this artist makes me think about the magic in the mundane. Art doesn't need to be grandiose; sometimes, it's just about seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.