Crock c. 1940

John Tarantino made this drawing of a crock at some point between 1855 and 1995. It’s done with what looks like blue ink on a piece of paper, all about capturing the essence of a form. Look at how the blue ink sits on the page, sometimes thick, sometimes thin, creating this really interesting contrast. The artist isn't trying to hide the process. You can almost see the hand moving, hesitating, then going for it. There’s a wonderful spontaneity to the mark-making. The way the artist renders the tail feathers with swirling lines and teardrop shapes is just beautiful. It's like a dance, a visual rhythm that pulls you in. It reminds me a bit of the work of folk artists like Henry Darger, who also had this incredible ability to create these imaginative worlds with simple materials. It's not about perfection; it's about the energy and the feeling. It’s a great reminder that art isn't about fixed meanings but about opening up possibilities.