Hobby Horse 1935 - 1942

Adele Brooks made this drawing of a Hobby Horse, and the way she renders it makes me think about the simple joy of making. There’s this gentle, almost naive, quality to the horse's form, all rendered in soft, muted tones. The texture of the wood is suggested, not copied, and the whole thing feels very tender, like a memory. I keep thinking about the way the light hits the side of the horse's body, those subtle gradations of tone. It’s not about showing off skill; it’s more like quietly observing something and trying to capture its essence. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t always have to shout. Sometimes, the most powerful stuff whispers. The unpretentious aesthetic reminds me of other self taught painters like Bill Traylor, artists who share a similar commitment to seeing the world on their own terms.