Rolling PIn c. 1937

This is a watercolor on paper by Augustine Haugland, who was around for a long time, born in 1855 and living almost to the end of the 20th century. Isn’t it fascinating how the simplest of subjects can become a wellspring of artistic expression? The way that Haugland has captured this everyday object, turning it into something worth contemplating. Imagine them, carefully mixing their paints, patiently layering washes of color to build up the form. They create subtle gradations of tone that give the rolling pin a sense of depth and weight. I wonder, was it their rolling pin? Or did they find it in a museum? It's a reminder that art is not always about grand gestures or dramatic statements, but often resides in the quiet observation and celebration of the ordinary. We could all learn from that, couldn't we?