Spur c. 1939

Rose Campbell-Gerke made this beautiful drawing of a spur, date unknown, using what looks like watercolor or gouache on paper. There's something very satisfying in the way the artist has rendered the object's textures and materials, from the tooled leather, to the matte metal, to the shiny silver. It’s fascinating how Campbell-Gerke's mark-making describes the form so economically. Look at the rendering of the silver disc. Notice the subtle gradations of tone that suggest a curved, reflective surface. There’s a combination of hard, precise lines, and soft, blended washes which is quite beautiful. The color is muted, and earthy, creating a sense of authenticity. This kind of representational drawing is a world away from my own work, but I find myself really drawn to the precision, and patience involved. It reminds me a little of the work of Vija Celmins, with her meticulous depictions of everyday objects and natural forms. But also of Charles Demuth, with his sharp focus on shape and form. Art is a big conversation, and it's always exciting to see how different artists approach the challenge of representing the world around them.