Copper Bowl c. 1938

This painting of a copper bowl was made by Rex F. Bush, but we don't know exactly when. What’s so interesting here is how an everyday object becomes extraordinary through the act of close observation and rendering. It’s almost like a meditation. Bush’s use of color is subtle but masterful. See how he captures the warm, reflective quality of the copper? The way he builds up layers of translucent washes of brown and orange suggests a process of careful, patient looking. It's like he's trying to understand the very essence of 'copper-ness'! Look closely at the way the light catches the rim of the bowl, creating a soft, silvery glow. There is a calmness to this piece and in its simplicity it reminds me of Giorgio Morandi’s still life paintings, in the way it transforms the mundane into something quietly profound. It’s a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places, and that beauty often lies in the act of seeing itself.