Animal Head c. 1943

Clayton Clements made this ‘Animal Head’ with watercolor, and it’s really about a process of observing, almost like a careful record. The way the light hits the object is as important as the animal head itself. I like how the watercolor feels almost like a light stain, not too thick, letting the paper breathe. There are thin, washy layers, built up carefully to give the wood a sense of depth and texture. The grain of the wood is emphasized by subtle variations in tone, and it's a real testament to the artist's patience. I keep coming back to that eye. It's like the artist saw the animal staring back at him. Clements’ reminds me of Charles Burchfield's watercolors, especially in the way he captures the feeling of a particular place and time, embedding it in the very surface of the painting. Ultimately, ‘Animal Head’ is a reminder that art isn’t just about making something beautiful but about truly seeing.