Shaving Stand c. 1941

Joseph Cannella made this drawing of a shaving stand sometime in the 20th century, though, honestly, it could be earlier. What strikes me is the patient, almost obsessive quality of the mark-making. It’s like each line is laid down with careful consideration, building up the form slowly, tenderly. The color palette is muted—earthy browns and tans—but there's a subtle vibrancy in the way Cannella uses the medium. It’s like he’s trying to capture not just the appearance of the shaving stand but also its essence, its weight and presence in the world. I really appreciate the little curtains reflected in the mirror. They are rendered so simply but they speak to the intimacy and domesticity of everyday life. This piece reminds me a little of the work of Bill Traylor, another self-taught artist who found beauty and meaning in the objects and scenes of his immediate surroundings. They both embrace the idea that art is really an ongoing conversation, a way of seeing and making sense of the world around us.