Pottery Flat Bowl c. 1938

Annie B. Johnston made this Pottery Flat Bowl, we don't know exactly when, but it's a watercolor drawing on paper. I can imagine Annie patiently building up the tones, layer upon layer, observing the simple form of the bowl with real care. The colors are quiet, earthy, and blend into one another like a watercolor wash. The marks are so subtle, capturing a sense of light and shadow. You can almost feel the artist’s breath as she paints the details. I’m reminded of the still life paintings of Morandi, with his muted palette and the careful attention to simple objects. There’s something profound about focusing on the everyday, isn’t there? It’s a gentle, unassuming drawing, a quiet meditation on form and space. And in that quietness, it speaks volumes. It's a reminder that, as painters, we’re all in this long conversation together, seeing and responding to each other’s visions across time.