Ice Cream Mold c. 1941

This is V.L. Vance's "Ice Cream Mold", made with watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil. Look closely and you can see that Vance wasn't interested in perfect realism here. Instead, it's more like she's feeling her way through the process, letting the materials lead. The color palette is quiet, almost monochromatic, with shades of gray and muted blues. It gives the impression that these molds have been sitting in the attic, gathering dust. Notice the way Vance renders the texture of the metal. It's not about precise detail but more about capturing the essence of coldness and smoothness. The slightly uneven outlines and visible pencil marks add a sense of immediacy and authenticity. It's like she's saying, "Here it is, in all its imperfect glory." The piece reminds me of Giorgio Morandi, who transformed humble objects like bottles and jars into meditative studies of form and light. Like Morandi, Vance elevates the ordinary, reminding us of the beauty and potential hidden in everyday life. Art is such an ongoing conversation, isn’t it?