Silver Teaspoon c. 1936

This artwork is a pencil drawing of two spoons made by David P. Willoughby. I can almost see Willoughby at work in his studio. Imagine him carefully studying the way light reflects off the smooth metal, trying to capture the subtle curves and the delicate balance of form. The spoons float on the page, each one distinct and tactile, not identical like something machine-made. There’s a quiet intimacy in the way he renders the familiar shape of an everyday utensil. What’s so cool is how drawing this object becomes a meditation on form and function. The simplicity of the composition allows us to appreciate the beauty of the mundane. I think Willoughby invites us to slow down, to consider the things we often overlook, and to find artistry in the simplest of objects. It reminds me of Morandi's bottles, it's like, what could be more interesting than this?