Waffle Iron 1935 - 1942

Ardella Watkins made this drawing of a Waffle Iron. The colors are muted, almost ghostly, and the lines are precise. It's like Watkins is trying to capture not just the object, but its essence, its history, the touch of hands that have used it. There's something really beautiful in the way Watkins handles the texture of the iron, creating a delicate surface through layered graphite or charcoal strokes. Look closely at the circular forms of the iron. You can almost feel the slight roughness of the metal, the buildup of residue from countless waffles cooked over a fire. The way the light catches on the edge of the iron suggests both its weight and its age. It reminds me a little of the drawings of everyday objects by artists like Vija Celmins – a similar attention to detail, a similar sense of quiet contemplation. Watkins invites us to see beauty and significance in the mundane. It's a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places, and that even the simplest objects can hold profound meaning.