Coffee Mill c. 1937

Frank C. Barks made this watercolour of a coffee mill, and I can just imagine him at work, trying to get every little detail down just right. I can almost feel the cool, smooth metal of the mill under my fingers, see the rough grain of the wood it's bolted to. There’s something so satisfying about the way he captured the shadows and highlights, giving it a real, three-dimensional feel. It's like he’s saying, "Look at this thing, this everyday object that we take for granted. Isn’t it beautiful?" And the way the handle curves, inviting you to reach out and turn it, imagining the smell of freshly ground coffee filling the air! I guess Frank's eye saw the beauty in the mundane, transforming it into something special. It’s a reminder to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life.