Crock c. 1940

This line drawing of a crock, made by John Tarantino, looks like it came about through a process of playful exploration. The lines are confident, and the overall composition is whimsical. It feels like the artist was having fun. I can imagine Tarantino hunched over his work surface, maybe in a sun-drenched studio filled with interesting objects. He's got his pen in hand, and he's just letting the lines flow, almost as if he’s improvising a jazz solo. Look at the way the lines of the face are so expressive, so full of character. Each stroke feels deliberate, yet spontaneous. It's like Tarantino is channeling the spirit of this crock, giving it a personality and a voice. It makes me think about other artists who work with simple lines to create complex emotions like Picasso or Guston. This piece feels like it's part of that tradition of artists who aren't afraid to be playful and experimental. It's a conversation across time.