Looking Toward Mrs. Tay 1943

Milton Avery made this sketch “Looking Toward Mrs. Tay” on paper, probably on the spot. You can imagine him quickly capturing what's in front of him using a pencil. The composition is built with subtle tonal variations and lots of hatching, which creates a sense of depth and atmosphere. There’s something really appealing about the directness and simplicity of the sketch. Avery’s hand moves spontaneously across the page, quickly trying to capture the essence of the landscape. I like to imagine Avery outside, notebook in hand, observing the landscape, perhaps even thinking about Mrs. Tay! I wonder about their relationship, their conversations, and the shared experiences that might have inspired this sketch. It is a lovely quiet moment, one that shares a moment of friendship through a fleeting landscape. This sketch reminds us that art-making is about forging connections, between the artist and the subject, the artist and the viewer.