Weather Vane Finial c. 1938

Helen Hobart made this drawing of a weather vane, and it's got me thinking about sculpture, drawing, and functionality. I'm drawn to the subtle gradations in tone, achieved through delicate pencil strokes. You can almost feel the cool metal of the rooster finial against the open sky. Hobart really captures the essence of the object; the wind ruffling its feathers, the anticipation of predicting the change of weather. I see a clear understanding of form and function in this drawing – it is so practical! I imagine Hobart carefully studying the vane, rendering each detail with precision. You know, drawing is such a great way to understand a form. You really have to pay attention. It’s a dialogue between eye, hand, and object. I can see in this drawing how the process of making can become a form of inquiry. The piece sits comfortably within a tradition of artists who find beauty and inspiration in everyday objects. There's this exchange across time, you know? We inspire one another and keep the conversation flowing.