Terra Cotta Pot c. 1936

Cecily Edwards made this watercolor of a terra cotta pot, its date is unknown. Looking at this, I feel like Cecily was really into the process of seeing, and how she could capture what was in front of her using simple materials like paper, water and pigment. I can really see the texture in this piece, even though it's just watercolor on paper. She didn't try to hide anything; she let the colors bleed and mix, and she didn't worry about getting everything perfect. See those dark brown lines around the pot's rim and body? They're not perfectly straight, but they give the pot a sense of form and depth. The way she built up the color in layers, especially at the bottom, gives it weight and substance. It reminds me a little bit of Morandi, who could turn a simple bottle or vase into something monumental with just a few brushstrokes. Ultimately, the way that artists make choices is what makes them unique. This pot is her conversation.