Norfolk Latch c. 1939

Samuel W. Ford made this drawing of a ‘Norfolk Latch’ at some point in his long life, using what looks like graphite and watercolor on paper. There's something so charming about a drawing of a functional object. The rendering is detailed but not slick. It celebrates the textures of the aged iron, as though the accumulation of rust and wear are somehow the point. Look how the subtle color variations and light are captured with such care. The surface has this granular feel, it's like Ford wants us to experience the age and the weight of this utilitarian thing, transformed by his loving study. The imperfections of the metal become a kind of beauty. Ford's dedication reminds me of Vija Celmins' drawings, where everyday objects become meditations on time, process, and seeing. I appreciate how art can elevate the mundane, inviting us to look closer and find unexpected poetry in the ordinary.