Storm Lamp c. 1938

James McLellan made this object in graphite and watercolor. Look at the way the paint and graphite have settled into the paper, creating an almost metallic sheen. It's as if McLellan was trying to conjure the very essence of the metal, coaxing it into being through layers of delicate washes and precise lines. I imagine McLellan hunched over his paper, his brow furrowed in concentration, capturing every nuance of the lamp. What was he thinking about as he painted? Was he merely interested in the lamp's utilitarian function, or did he see something more in its humble form? The surface is alive with tiny marks, each one a testament to the artist's patient observation. These aren't just decorations; they're a kind of visual code, hinting at the lamp's history, its travels, and the stories it could tell. It reminds me of the work of other painters, all in dialogue across time, each finding their own way to illuminate the world through the language of art.