Stoneware Crock 1938

Edward Buechner made this watercolour of a stoneware crock sometime in the 20th century. The almost monochromatic palette gives the image a faded, antique feel, perfectly capturing the essence of the object. Look closely, and you'll see how Buechner used delicate brushstrokes to create the illusion of texture on the crock's surface. The blue floral designs, though simple, have a handmade quality, each slightly different from the next. My eye keeps getting drawn to the way the blue paint bleeds slightly into the off-white background, giving it a soft, dreamlike quality. The imperfections and irregularities in the marks are what make it so charming! It reminds me of the work of Fairfield Porter, who also found beauty in everyday objects. Ultimately, it's about seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary and appreciating the simple pleasures of life.