Plane c. 1939

Mary Hansen made this wonderful drawing of a plane, probably from life. She would have been carefully observing its shape, volume, and texture. Look at how the shadows delineate its form, giving it a tangible, almost sculptural quality. The grain of the wood is subtly rendered, each line suggesting the unique character of the material. I wonder, what was Mary thinking when she made this drawing? Was she interested in the way light plays across the surface? Or perhaps she was attracted to the simple, functional beauty of this everyday object. The drawing is rendered in delicate hues of grey and brown, giving it an understated elegance. There's a real sense of quiet observation, and a deep respect for the object itself. It reminds me of other artists who have found beauty in the mundane, like Giorgio Morandi with his still lifes of bottles and jars. Artists are in an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time, inspiring one another’s creativity. Painting embraces ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations and meanings.