Fireplace Tongs c. 1941

This drawing of Fireplace Tongs was made by Paul Poffinbarger, and the neutral colour palette and clean lines suggest a practical, almost technical approach. It reminds me that artmaking is as much about seeing and understanding as it is about feeling. The tongs are depicted with such clarity. You can see how the artist considers the form, weight, and utility of the object. The lines are precise but not cold, they evoke a sense of the hand that crafted them. The choice of color – that muted brown – speaks to the material, to the iron forged in fire. Look at the subtle variations in tone, the way the artist captures the light reflecting off the metal. It’s understated, yet it carries so much information. This piece recalls the work of Giorgio Morandi, who was able to find endless inspiration in the simplest of objects. Just goes to show, art isn't always about the grand gesture, sometimes it's about seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.