Day: August 15, 2026

The Painting That Wanted to be Made

Collage showing the development of a watercolor painting of Jack Moore’s Looking Glass Maker sign, from initial sketch and ink study to finished colorful artwork.

When the first version of Jack Moore’s Looking Glass Maker turned out muddy, I had to decide whether to abandon it—or listen more carefully to what it wanted to become. I started over, changed the colors and composition, and discovered that a boy, a cat, and a little persistence could give the painting the life it was asking for.

Jack Moore, Looking Glass Maker

A colorful ink-and-watercolor illustration of the Jack Moore Looking Glass Maker sign in Jonesborough, with a large red-and-green sign, brick sidewalks, and a boy sitting beside a cat in the alley below.

Medium: Pen, Ink and WatercolorSize: 7 by 10 inchesNotes: From my own reference photo I really liked the perspective in this work, but the sign is what drew my attention. A looking glass maker…who still makes looking glass. Or does he? It’s a story, but even more interesting is the Eureka Inn, which offers a […]