Firemark 1935 - 1942

Milton Grubstein made this drawing, Firemark, sometime in the twentieth century, using graphite on paper. The tree form dominates the composition, rendered in meticulous detail within an oval shape. You can see Grubstein's dedication to capturing the textures and contours of the object, which seems to leap off the page. I can almost feel the weight of the cast iron in my hands. I can imagine Grubstein, bent over his drawing, patiently coaxing the image into existence. What was he thinking as he shaded each leaf and branch, giving depth and dimension to the firemark? Was he thinking about other artists who drew similar scenes? This kind of work reminds me that artists are always in conversation with one another, building on the ideas and techniques of those who came before. It shows us that the process of making art is often about discovery, a kind of exploration that embraces uncertainty.