Stoneware Flask c. 1940

V.L. Vance made this "Stoneware Flask" with what looks like watercolor on paper. I love how the washes and lines capture the earthy, almost skin-like surface of the vessel. You can really see the hand in the way it's rendered. There’s this tension between precision and looseness, right? The horizontal lines around the flask are meticulously drawn, but then you get these soft, blurry edges that give it a real sense of volume. And that dark mark on the side? It’s almost like a little void, drawing you into the object. It reminds me of some of Morandi's still lifes, how he used a limited palette to explore the subtle variations in form and light. But here, with Vance, there’s also this sense of quiet observation, a real appreciation for the everyday. Ultimately, it’s a humble yet deeply evocative piece, inviting us to slow down and really look.