Crock c. 1937

Jessica Price made this watercolour on paper— a study, it seems, for a ceramic crock. The blue flowers jump out, drawn with such confidence and charm; some leaves filled with polka dots, and zig-zags within the main bloom. I bet Jessica was thinking about how to jazz up a utilitarian object, how to bring a little joy to the kitchen. I can imagine her, brush in hand, lost in a world of creative possibility. The thin paint allows the ground to breathe through. You see the artist's hand, their intentions, but also their mistakes and corrections, like pentimenti. It's all part of the process, isn't it? This piece reminds me of the work of other designer-artists, like William Morris, who sought to elevate everyday objects through art. It’s a reminder that art isn't confined to gallery walls; it's all around us, in the things we use and the spaces we inhabit. It's a conversation that echoes through time, each artist building on the ideas of those who came before.