Carousel Horse c. 1938

Ernest Towers made this drawing of a Carousel Horse using watercolor and graphite, and I can just imagine the precision and care that went into each line and wash. The colours are rich and inviting, with the brown of the horse's body offset by the vibrant reds and greens of the saddle. Towers’ hand has carefully rendered the horse's form and decorative details. The application of the colours is a gentle, patient process of layering and blending. I can imagine him stepping back to assess the balance of tones, adjusting the hues to capture the light. There’s something so earnest and playful about the image. It reminds me of other works by folk artists, who lovingly capture the essence of their subjects. You can see how an artist like Towers is in conversation with traditions, drawing on them to create something new. He invites us to see familiar forms in fresh ways, reminding us of the endless possibilities of art.