Rocks and Cranes 1937

Donald Greason made this small drawing, Rocks and Cranes, with graphite on paper. Looking at it, I imagine the act of making it – the artist shifting, maybe squinting, trying to capture a scene that feels both solid and fleeting. It’s all in the marks – look at those jagged, dark strokes defining the rocks, and the way the cranes are rendered with such delicate, almost hesitant lines. I feel like I am there with Greason, trying to make sense of the industrial against the natural. There’s a tension between the heavy, static rocks and the spindly, reaching cranes. The graphite is applied with varying pressure, creating a sense of depth and texture that is almost palpable. It’s as though Greason is having a quiet conversation with artists like Joseph Stella, who also explored industrial landscapes with a mix of awe and ambivalence. This piece reminds us that artists are always building on what came before, interpreting the world through their own unique lens, and leaving space for us to bring our own experiences to the table.