A Connecticut-type Hadley Chest-side View c. 1936

Martin Partyka made this watercolor and graphite drawing of a Connecticut-type Hadley Chest. The tones are warm and consistent; it’s almost monochromatic, with ochre and amber gently building the object. I wonder what Partyka was thinking about when they made this drawing. Were they remembering a chest from their childhood? I imagine them carefully building up the woodgrain with tiny strokes, layer upon layer. You can almost feel the smooth, polished surface under your fingertips. Look at how the light catches the edges of the panels. Each line, each subtle shift in color, communicates a feeling of care and precision. This piece feels different than some of the other paintings. It is more like a memory, full of nostalgia. Artists like Partyka remind us that painting can be a conversation across time, a way of honoring the craft and creativity of the past while bringing our unique vision to the present. There is beauty in this ambiguity.