Bell - From Swedish Church c. 1936

This drawing of a bell from a Swedish church was made by Wellington Blewett, though we don’t know exactly when. Look at the way he’s handled the graphite, almost like he’s caressing the form, slowly building up tone. The surface of the bell almost glows, doesn't it? Blewett has managed to give this inanimate object a real sense of presence. See how he’s created these subtle gradations of light and shadow? It’s as if the bell is breathing, expanding and contracting in the light. I'm drawn to the way the cross bar cuts across the top, like arms outstretched. Blewett's approach reminds me of the architectural drawings of someone like Charles Sheeler. There’s a similar sense of precision, but also an appreciation for the quiet beauty of everyday objects. Ultimately, this drawing is an invitation to slow down and really see the world around us.