Shaker Doll's Cloak c. 1939

Eleanor Gausser made this lovely watercolor painting of a Shaker doll's cloak, and in it, the texture feels so soft and comforting, like a well-loved childhood toy. I imagine her carefully building up the layers of diluted pigment. What was she thinking as she painted the details of the hood, the gentle curves of the fabric, and the simple tie? She was born in 1855! Maybe she was reflecting on the care and precision that goes into making something beautiful and useful. The limited palette and the artist’s focus on form and texture draw me in. It reminds me a little of Agnes Martin's subtle color gradations and quiet, meditative compositions. I just love the way Gausser has captured the essence of the cloak, making it feel both familiar and precious. It's these small, intimate works that often speak volumes about an artist’s way of seeing and appreciating the world. And that’s what makes looking at art so darn rewarding!