Pewter Flagon c. 1936

Charles Cullen made this drawing of a pewter flagon with graphite on paper. Look closely, and you can almost feel the metal's cool smoothness. I wonder what it was like for Cullen, sitting with this flagon. Did he run his fingers over the curves of the handle, feeling its weight and balance before he started to draw? I bet he did. It’s all about how the light touches the metal. See how the reflections suggest not just shape but also the feeling of a real object. The piece hums with quiet observation and patience. This drawing reminds me that art doesn't always have to shout; sometimes, the most profound statements are whispered. Like a poem. It's a subtle reminder of the beauty in the everyday, and the power of close looking.