Grain Shovel c. 1940

Mary Hansen made this drawing of a grain shovel with graphite on paper, and it feels like she really *saw* this thing. It's not just a shovel; it's a portrait. The shading is so subtle, almost ghostly. You can practically feel the smooth wood grain, the way light would catch on its curves. There's a delicate balance between precision and letting the hand do its thing, the graphite almost vibrating on the page. I keep coming back to the bottom edge of the shovel where the line gets a little ragged, loses its confidence. It’s a reminder that art isn't about perfection, it's about being present with the thing you’re looking at and embracing the wonkiness. It reminds me a little of the drawings of Giorgio Morandi, that same quiet focus on the everyday. Ultimately, this drawing is about how seeing is a form of touching, a form of knowing.