Newton Creek c. 1935 - 1943

Max Mougel made this etching, Newton Creek, using delicate lines and a monochrome palette. I imagine him, bent over a plate, scratching away to build up the image. You know, there’s a real beauty in how he captures something that’s actually kind of gritty and industrial, like he’s making a love song to it, you know? The reflections on the water really do it for me. They remind me of when I did some printmaking in college, and it was all about getting the pressure right. I think the artist probably worked hard to get that subtle shading, and the way the lines come together really creates a sense of depth. The overall impression is this sort of quiet hum of a place at work. For me, art is a conversation. Each artist responds to those who came before, reinterpreting old themes, and discovering new perspectives.