Pitcher 1935 - 1942

Samuel W. Ford made this drawing of a Pitcher, and it's all about the surface, the texture, and how light plays on it. Ford really gets into the nitty-gritty of the glaze, capturing every little bump and curve. The handle, shaped like a swan’s neck, is especially cool, it's got this smooth, almost fleshy feel. You can almost see Ford figuring out how to turn a functional object into something kinda wild and unexpected. The use of shading gives a feeling of depth and volume, the whole thing looks like it could be lifted right off the page. There’s something about the way the deer are caught in mid-leap that reminds me of Franz Marc, but with a touch of domesticity. But unlike Marc, Ford isn’t trying to knock you over with symbolism. It’s more like he’s inviting you to daydream. Art's an ongoing conversation, right? And sometimes, it's the quietest voices that have the most to say.