Five Pound Island c. early 20th century

Percy F. Albee made this image of Five Pound Island with delicate lines on paper. I imagine Albee, standing there, squinting, trying to capture the hazy light. It feels immediate, like he's trying to grab a feeling more than a picture. Those short, flickering strokes, they're not just describing the scene, they're almost like thoughts, little hesitations and corrections. Look at how the reflections in the water are made with these quick, broken lines, not trying to be perfect, but somehow nailing the fleeting quality of light on water. You can almost feel the breeze. It reminds me how artists are always looking, borrowing, and riffing off each other across time. Each mark is a conversation, a question, a little leap of faith. And in the end, it's not about getting it right, but about keeping the conversation going.