Auger 1938

Here we see ‘Auger,’ by Herman O. Stroh, made with watercolor and graphite, giving a sense of precision through soft applications. It's amazing how such simple materials can create such a detailed representation! I'm drawn to the textures Stroh creates. You can almost feel the smooth grain of the wooden handle, the way the light catches on its surface, and the sharp edge of the blade. The colors are muted, natural, earthy tones, which give the whole piece a sense of quiet solidity. It’s that subtle shading that gives the auger its depth and presence. Look at how the tones shift across the handle. It makes the object feel real, like something you could pick up and use. For me, this piece recalls the work of Charles Sheeler, who similarly found beauty in the clean lines of industrial forms. Both artists invite us to see the world with new eyes, finding poetry in the everyday. Ultimately, art is about looking closely and finding your own way of seeing. Stroh’s auger reminds us that beauty and meaning can be found in the most unexpected places.