Sewing Bird c. 1938

Frank McEntee's drawing of a "Sewing Bird" uses delicate, precise lines to capture a sense of three-dimensionality. It’s all about process. You get the sense that McEntee constructed this image, rather than just copying it. Look at the way the dark ink— or maybe it’s watercolor—defines the form of the sewing bird. The color is almost monochromatic, but there are subtle shifts in tone that give the object weight and depth. McEntee’s focus on detail invites us to appreciate the craftsmanship of both the original object and the drawing itself. Take the serrated base, for example, the hatched lines and the tiny cast shadow it throws. It’s all about surface and texture. This reminds me a little of Vija Celmins’ drawings of everyday objects. Both artists share a similar commitment to close observation. Ultimately, what’s important is not the object itself, but the way we see and interpret it. And isn't that what art is all about?