Pottery Foot Warmer c. 1937

This pottery foot warmer was made by Annie B. Johnston, sometime between 1855 and 1995. The way the surface is rendered is pretty interesting – it's all about process and how the artist has built up these layers of colour, not too heavy, but with a real sense of touch. I love the texture she’s achieved; it really makes you want to reach out and feel the cool, smooth ceramic. The brown tones, with those hits of yellow suggesting reflected light, give it a warmth that's unexpected. Look closely at the vertical strokes, how they vary in pressure and direction; it's almost like she's tracing the contours of the object with her own energy. That single, dark line running down the center: it’s not just a detail; it's like a spine, holding the whole form together. It makes me think of Giorgio Morandi, who also managed to find endless interest in rendering everyday objects. In the end, it’s about how the artist sees, and how they invite us to see along with them.