Stoneware Jar 1937

This large Stoneware Jar was made without a date by Richard Barnett. Look at the cobalt blue! It's like Barnett saw the jar as a canvas, bringing forth these bold, freely painted floral motifs. I can imagine him turning the jar slowly, coaxing the painted flowers to life, making each petal and stem breathe. There's a real confidence in these shapes; they seem to emerge spontaneously, yet are so controlled. The glaze has pooled in some areas, creating these beautiful textures. It's almost sculptural. I love how the cobalt blue interacts with the stoneware, sometimes sharp and clear, other times bleeding softly into the surface. It feels like a dance between intention and chance, which, for me, is always the most exciting part about painting. It’s a reminder that art lives in conversation – each piece building on what came before, speaking to what will come next.