Tray 1935 - 1942

This drawing of a tray by Grace Halpin is mostly black, except for the fruits, wine glass, and border. It’s like she’s building an image on a dark stage. I wonder, was Halpin designing, or remembering? Maybe she had a tray just like this, and was trying to recapture it. Think of the focus and breath control it must have taken to create the border! The border is so rhythmic, it's almost hypnotic – and then that darkness surrounding the still life! For me, art is all about that moment of exchange between what you think you know and what happens when you start doing. Halpin's drawing reminds me that artists everywhere are in a constant conversation, riffing off of each other. This piece is a reminder that painting isn't about answers, it’s about asking questions and letting the process lead you somewhere new.