Glazed Clay Bowl 1935 - 1942

This watercolor of a glazed clay bowl was made by Clyde L. Cheney. I can imagine Cheney hunched over this bowl, carefully observing the way light plays on its surface. The rendering of the form is meticulous. Look how the dark interior contrasts with the warm hues of the exterior. I wonder, did Cheney choose watercolor for its fluid qualities, to mimic the glazing process itself? I appreciate the delicate brushstrokes that define the bowl's irregularities, its subtle imperfections. Each mark seems like a meditation on form and function. It reminds me of Morandi's still lifes – the way he transformed everyday objects into vehicles for exploring perception and representation. It’s as if Cheney, through the act of painting, invites us to contemplate not just the object, but the very essence of seeing. We’re all in conversation with each other, aren’t we?