Powder Pouch c. 1938

This is a watercolour painting by Howell Rosenbaum of a powder pouch. It looks like it was made with delicate washes, almost transparent, of earthy browns and tarnished golds. I imagine Rosenbaum hunched over a table, carefully building up the forms with layer upon layer, letting each one dry before going in again. I wonder, did he do this quickly, or did he really belabour it? There’s this shell motif on the pouch itself - it's quite ornate, isn’t it? I can imagine him really trying to capture the light as it reflects off the ridges. Then there's that strap, so thin, so delicate, just a few brushstrokes. It's funny how something as functional as a powder pouch can become an object of such intricate beauty. What can we learn from that today? I think artists are constantly in dialogue, aren't they? Rosenbaum reminds me of other painters, who find beauty in the everyday. It's an ongoing conversation, and we're all invited to join in.