Toast Rack c. 1936

Mildred Ford made this drawing of a toast rack, using pencil on paper, sometime in the 20th century. What I love about Ford's work here is the way she's thinking through the process of design. It's not just about rendering an object; it's about understanding its structure. The lines are so precise, yet there's a kind of tenderness to them, like she's feeling her way around the object, discovering its form through the act of drawing. Look at how she renders the shadows, not as solid blocks, but as subtle gradations that give the toast rack a sense of depth and volume. You can almost feel the coolness of the metal, the gentle curve of each rack. It reminds me a bit of some of Eva Hesse’s drawings, that same combination of technical precision and visceral feeling. Both artists share this interest in art as an ongoing conversation, embracing ambiguity and multiple interpretations.