Hitchcock Chair Back 1936

Lawrence Flynn made this drawing of a Hitchcock chair back, probably mid-century, with pencil and watercolor. Look at the dark, almost black lines contrasting with the ochre yellow, creating bold shapes. I can imagine Flynn bending over this piece, carefully filling each area with color, trying to make it just right. What do you think he was thinking about when he was making this? Maybe about folk art traditions, and how to keep them alive? Or perhaps he was interested in design, and what makes something both functional and beautiful. I’m drawn to the circular motifs, like little wheels, and how they repeat across the surface, suggesting movement and rhythm. The lyre at the top is a nice touch, giving the chair a sense of elegance and refinement. Flynn’s drawing reminds me of other artists who find inspiration in everyday objects, elevating the ordinary into something special. It’s like he's saying, "Hey, even a chair can be a work of art!" And it is. We're all in conversation, riffing off each other's ideas, and inspiring new ways of seeing.