Crock c. 1938

Charles Caseau made this drawing of a crock, sometime in the 20th century. The image shows the top of the vessel in great detail; I imagine Caseau carefully layering on each shade of blue to build the intricate design. The painting’s surface is relatively flat and smooth. The colors give it a sense of depth. It's very muted. Those thin blues – like the veins you see when you hold your wrist up to the light – bring the piece to life. I can almost feel the cool, damp clay between my fingers. I see a kinship between Caseau and other artists who explore everyday objects. Maybe he felt a similar pull, finding beauty in the mundane, elevating the humble crock to an object of contemplation. There's a conversation happening here, across time and space, a reminder that art is an ongoing dialogue.