Spoon Mold c. 1938

Here we have Poffinbarger’s graphite rendering of two spoon molds on paper. Imagine him there in his studio, patiently building up tone, layering graphite to capture the subtle contours of these utilitarian objects. I wonder what he was thinking about as he drew each curve and shadow, each little detail of these molds. There is the texture of the graphite on the page, smooth and subtle, which creates a sense of quiet contemplation. Look at the way the light seems to reflect off the metal, giving them a palpable, sculptural presence. There's a timelessness in this work, a connection to the everyday that resonates across generations. Drawing like this is a slow form of looking, and maybe it is a kind of meditation, too. It reminds us of other artists, like Morandi, who found endless inspiration in the simplest of subjects. And maybe that's the point, that art can be found in the most unexpected places, if only we take the time to look closely.