Pestle and Mortar c. 1938

John Swientochowski’s watercolor rendering captures a pestle and mortar with remarkable clarity. The restrained palette of browns and creams highlights the beauty in the everyday. For me, it’s a reminder that the process is where the magic happens, whether you’re grinding spices or making art. Look at how Swientochowski coaxes out the texture of the wood, the subtle play of light, it's almost like you can feel the smoothness, and imagine the weight of the objects. A deep crack runs down the side of the mortar, full of character. These imperfections tell a story, hinting at use, time, labor. Swientochowski shares something with the still life paintings of Giorgio Morandi. They both have this knack for finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. It's a gentle reminder that art isn't always about grand gestures, it's about looking closely.