Firemark 1935 - 1942

Milton Grubstein made this drawing, Firemark, with graphite on paper. What strikes me about this drawing is its process. There's something grounding about the mark-making, and the simplicity of the palette - or lack of one! It's a drawing of something, but I don’t think it’s really about the thing itself, but rather the act of making. There's something really compelling about the texture; it almost feels as though you could reach out and feel the leaves. Look closely at the trunk of the tree. It’s built up of layer upon layer of graphite, each mark visible, creating a sense of depth. This reveals how the artist builds form with light and shadow. Looking at this piece reminds me a little of Guston's ink drawings, in that they share a certain openness, encouraging us to find our own connections and meaning. Ultimately, the beauty of art lies in its ambiguity.