Sugar Dipper c. 1939

Annie B. Johnston made this *Sugar Dipper* drawing with, I assume, watercolour. It's hard to believe she lived for so long, dying in 1995, which makes her something of a contemporary artist. Looking at this image, I like to think about the hand of the artist at work, patiently building up the forms with tiny strokes. The gentle washes of colour create a sense of volume, giving weight to this humble kitchen object. I wonder, was she thinking about other artists? Chardin, perhaps, or Morandi? I see her patiently depicting the worn surfaces and subtle patinas, the light and shadow playing across the metal. The texture of the wooden handle is nicely observed and rendered with delicate marks, conveying a sense of its age and use. It makes me think of how artists throughout history have turned their attention to everyday objects, finding beauty and meaning in the mundane. Like a haiku, she is offering a small window onto a larger world, inviting us to slow down and appreciate the simple things.