Bench 1937

Hal Blakeley made this drawing of a bench, but we don't know when or with what. It's a bit like looking at a painting of a painting, you know? There's this soft, muted palette, all browns and creams, giving it a gentle feel. The bench is rendered with such detail, you can almost feel the wood grain. I like how the artist hasn’t tried to hide the pencil lines, it reminds you of the act of seeing. There’s something so charming about this level of craft. Look at the shapes cut out of the backrest, each one slightly different, slightly imperfect. It’s a reminder that art, like life, is full of quirks and irregularities. The bench feels solid, dependable and I’m reminded of folk art traditions, like the Shaker furniture I’ve seen. It makes you want to sit, think, and maybe even make something yourself. It's like Hal Blakeley is whispering that the process matters.