Bread Tray c. 1941

Mildred Ford gave us this "Bread Tray" painted with watercolor, which gives it a unique and delicate look. I can imagine Mildred gently layering those watercolor washes to create the patina of this humble object, a simple vessel holding sustenance. Look at the details: the olive green leafy garlands around the rim and those stylized floral motifs nestled at the bottom, peeking out like a hidden surprise. I wonder if Mildred was thinking about the intersection of the everyday and the decorative. Was she considering how simple tools become objects of beauty? Mildred has this connection to folk art, a directness, and honesty in her presentation. And I appreciate how she invites us to see the beauty in the mundane, the art in the everyday. It's a reminder that art isn't always about grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.