River, Smoke Stacks, and Houses 1938

Donald Carlisle Greason made this drawing, River, Smoke Stacks, and Houses, using rapid marks of ink on paper. I can picture his hand moving quickly across the page, flicking from side to side, trying to capture a sense of atmosphere. The composition is divided into three horizontal bands which create a feeling of recession: water, land and sky. Look at how the river occupies the foreground and the industrial buildings in the background. What might Greason have been thinking about when he created this drawing? Perhaps the changing landscape with old houses giving way to modern buildings of industry? I love the way he uses expressive marks to depict a scene of change. The marks feel immediate, like they are dashed off quickly, capturing a momentary experience. I can feel the breeze in the trees. It reminds me of similar drawings by the British artist, David Hockney. Artists are always looking at one another, stealing ideas, it’s like one big conversation. Ultimately, I think drawing is about feeling. What do you feel when you look at this image?