Lillestranden, Kerteminde c. 1931

William H. Johnson made this watercolor and ink drawing, Lillestranden, Kerteminde, on paper. The artist's process is immediately evident in the brisk, assured lines that define the coastal scene. Note the way Johnson uses watercolor washes to suggest the atmosphere and form, quickly imbuing the scene with a sense of place. The way he applies the watercolor, in thin, translucent layers, allows the white of the paper to shine through, creating a luminous effect. But the linear structure is key. The overall effect is one of spontaneity and immediacy, capturing a fleeting moment in time. Johnson’s energetic, almost restless line-work suggests the everyday labor and maritime activity of this Danish coastal town. Johnson’s choices of accessible materials, combined with the immediacy of the drawing, challenges traditional notions of what constitutes a finished work of art. His focus on the process of making, the act of capturing a specific moment and place, opens up the idea of what art can be, beyond traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.