Whale's Tooth c. 1940

This watercolor by Carl Strehlau depicts a pair of scrimshawed whale's teeth. The marks are delicate and precise, which reminds me of the painstaking process of painting itself, each stroke building towards a whole. These aren't just drawings; they're like little windows into another world. The texture of the paper peeks through, giving the colors a soft, dreamy quality. I love the way the artist captured the sheen of the whale's tooth, it's almost pearlescent. Notice how the lines vary in thickness, some are bold and confident, others are faint and hesitant, and how those tiny strokes make up the form of the women's dresses. The slightly naive style reminds me of folk art traditions, where the focus is on storytelling and expression rather than perfect realism. This piece feels connected to a history of artmaking that values craft, patience, and a deep engagement with materials.