Shaker Clock Hanger c. 1936

Ray Holden made this Shaker Clock Hanger, and just look at the way he renders the grain of the wood. You can tell he understands the material and has a deep appreciation for it. I can only imagine Ray’s process – the focused concentration it takes to meticulously build up the layers of pigment, mirroring the care that went into crafting the clock hanger itself. There's a quiet reverence in the way he captures the light playing on the wood. It reminds me that painting is an act of seeing, of really looking at the world around us and trying to understand its essence. I imagine Ray studying the clock hanger, noting every detail and nuance. It’s like he’s having a conversation with the object, allowing its inherent qualities to guide his hand. The surface is smooth, almost polished, which makes you want to reach out and touch it. This piece makes me think about folk art traditions and how everyday objects can become sources of inspiration and artistic expression.