Pitcher c. 1937

George Loughridge made this drawing of a pitcher with, what looks like, colored pencil. Look how the tones shift, almost imperceptibly, and create this beautifully rendered, dimensional object! The magic of this work is really in the surface – you can see the texture of the paper coming through the marks. It’s almost as if Loughridge wanted to show us not just the pitcher, but also the very act of drawing itself. Notice the way he’s handled the light, creating a sense of depth and volume that makes you want to reach out and touch it. My favorite part is the little blue bird. Such a simple motif, but it adds so much character and charm to the piece! This drawing reminds me of some of Fairfield Porter’s representational works. Both artists take these everyday objects and elevate them through close observation and careful mark-making. It's a reminder that art can be found in the simplest of things, if we just take the time to look closely.