Rocking Chair c. 1938

Frank Gutting made this drawing of a rocking chair with what looks like watercolor or gouache. I love how he renders the light on the wooden frame. Gutting has a real feel for the texture and materiality of this chair. The way he's built up the color in layers, it's almost like you can feel the smoothness of the wood, and the woven seat and back. He hasn't tried to hide the process, you can see each stroke and decision. Look closely at the woven seat, where the red-brown and black squares meet. It’s a really great little painting, in and of itself, showing the artists careful consideration and dexterity with the paintbrush. This image feels related to the work of Charles Sheeler, but perhaps with a more personal, intimate touch. Like Sheeler, Gutting explores the beauty in simple, everyday objects, elevating them through careful observation and skillful rendering. It’s a good reminder that art isn't always about grand gestures, it can also be about appreciating the quiet beauty of the world around us.