Toy bank: Pig c. 1939

Walter Hochstrasser made this drawing of a Toy Bank Pig sometime in the 20th century, we don't know exactly when, using colored pencil, graphite, and watercolor. It's all about process, this drawing. Look at the actual texture here, the way the light hits the curves of the pig's body. You can almost feel the cool, smooth surface. Hochstrasser coaxes the form out of the flat page, layering the watercolor in strokes that build volume and depth. The color shifts, from dark greens to warm yellows, creating a sense of roundness. The artist uses the pencil to define the contours, especially around the face and the subtle folds of skin. There's a playful quality to the pig’s expression, a hint of a smile. It reminds me of some of Guston's later work, that same kind of awkward, human quality shining through. Art doesn't need to explain everything. Sometimes, it's enough to just sit with the questions.