Blown Glass c. 1937

Alvin Shiren made this watercolor painting, "Blown Glass," at an undetermined date. Isn't it interesting how something so clear can become such a study in light and shadow? I love how the color palette is so minimal, just these soft blues and the warm tone of the paper. Shiren really hones in on the way light plays across the glass. Look at the subtle variations in tone that suggest the form and weight of the object. The bottom edge seems to glow with an almost eerie incandescence. The painting has a quiet energy, a stillness that makes you want to pause and contemplate the simple beauty of everyday objects. It reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi's still lifes, where humble vessels become profound subjects. The process feels like an act of meditation, revealing the extraordinary within the ordinary. It makes you see the world differently.