Leather Covered Box c. 1937

Majel G. Claflin made this drawing of a leather covered box, probably in the 1930s, using watercolor. Look closely at the way she applies the watercolor in layers, almost like a wash, allowing the paper to breathe through. You can see how each mark and dab contributes to the overall structure. The box itself is rendered in creamy whites and pale yellows, and the nail heads give a wonderful staccato rhythm along its edges. Claflin’s brushstrokes are delicate, capturing the texture of the leather and the gleam of the metal studs. The drawing has a quiet, contemplative quality, and it reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin, with that same sense of understated beauty and attention to detail. Ultimately, it's about the way she sees and translates the world around her. The simple subject matter allows her to explore the subtleties of color and light. It reminds us that artmaking is an ongoing conversation, a way of exchanging ideas and ways of seeing across time.