Crockery Flower Vase c. 1938

Clyde L. Cheney made this watercolor and graphite drawing of a Crockery Flower Vase. The subtle gradations of tone, from deep brown to almost black, give the vase a feeling of solidity. It’s like the artist coaxed the form into being, stroke by stroke, gradually revealing its curves and contours, allowing the light to gently wrap around it. I imagine Cheney considering how light falls across the surface of the vase and trying to capture the essence of its form. I’m thinking about Morandi and his obsessive, repetitive practice of painting the same bottles over and over, each time trying to capture something new, something slightly different. It is this attention to the everyday object that makes this artwork resonate. Cheney helps us to consider that by truly looking, we may find endless opportunities for contemplation and creative expression.