Pa. German Toy Rooster c. 1939

Betty Jean Davis made this piece, titled “Pa. German Toy Rooster”, and it seems to be some kind of study or rendering of a small wooden sculpture. You can see the process in the line work. It’s delicate, capturing the light and shadow that defines the form, as well as the texture of the carved wood. The color palette is fairly restrained; a kind of earthy brown and cream combination, with just the tiniest touch of red on the Rooster's comb. Look closely and you can see where Davis layers the colors, how she builds up the form with tiny, controlled marks. It's not just about depicting the object, but about understanding how light and shadow work, the little decisions you make along the way. It reminds me a little of those meticulous botanical illustrations, with a folk art, homespun vibe. Think of the way artists like Joseph Yoakum use humble materials to create something deeply personal. It's like Davis is having a conversation with this little rooster, and inviting us to listen in.