Iron Hitching Post c. 1939

Rose Campbell-Gerke made this drawing of an Iron Hitching Post, we don’t know exactly when or with what, but it has a patient, careful quality. You can see her working through the process of observation. The drawing's muted palette – the gentle grays and browns that describe the aged metal – feels honest. Nothing is exaggerated. The texture isn't romanticized; instead, there's an earnest attempt to capture the object's simple form and subdued presence. Look at how she renders the eagle head, the way the light catches the curve of its beak. There's something about this drawing, and especially the top of the hitching post, that feels so alive, like the object is looking back at us. The piece reminds me of the work of Charles Sheeler, especially his precisionist drawings. Both artists share a respect for their subjects and an interest in the intersection of representation and abstraction. Both artists see the art making process as a conversation. There’s no wrong way to look at art, and no single story to tell.