View of Distant Mountains 1943

Milton Avery made this drawing of distant mountains with graphite on paper. Look at how Avery uses simple, straightforward marks to build a landscape. It’s like he’s thinking aloud, letting the pencil wander and discover the forms. The texture is all in the graphite, smudged and layered to create depth and atmosphere. The paper is allowed to breathe through the marks, giving it an airy, unfinished feel. Notice the way the mountains fade into the distance with just a few strokes, capturing their essence without getting bogged down in details. There's a real sense of freedom in how Avery approaches the page. Avery’s willingness to embrace simplicity reminds me of Arthur Dove, another artist who wasn’t afraid to strip things down to their core. Both artists show us that sometimes, less really is more. It's a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation, and that there’s always room for new voices and new ways of seeing.