Metal Toy Bank: Boy on Bar c. 1937

Lew Tower made this watercolor of a metal toy bank sometime in the 20th century. I love how the washes of color describe the scene with a real sense of play and adventure. The pigment is applied in layers, with thin washes building up form, especially in the details of the base and the acrobat’s clothing. Look at the boy's shiny pants! The artist seems to revel in the materiality of the paint. It's all about the flow of the medium, the way the pigment settles on the paper. It really brings the toy to life. Check out the red ball. It looks like it is actually reflecting light. This feels like a cousin to the work of Charles Demuth, who also had a love for watercolors. With both artists, there’s a sense of letting the medium do its thing, embracing the accidents and imperfections. It’s a reminder that art is not about perfection, but about the ongoing process of discovery and experimentation.