Water Glass 

Dan Graziano painted this "Water Glass" with oils, a traditional material used for centuries by artists. Here, the oil paint is applied with thick strokes, giving the glass a sense of weight and presence, far from the transparency we associate with actual glass. You can almost feel the texture of the paint as it mimics the light playing on the curves of the glass and water. Oil paint has a rich history, from the workshops of the Renaissance to contemporary art studios. Its versatility allows artists to create illusions of reality or, as in this case, to emphasize the materiality of paint itself. The labor involved in grinding pigments and mixing paints is part of the tradition, connecting artists to a lineage of makers. By focusing on the simple subject of a water glass, Graziano invites us to consider the everyday objects around us and the materials that give them form. It challenges us to see the artistry in the mundane and to appreciate the skill and tradition behind this painting.