Diggin' Potatoes 1939

Blendon Reed Campbell made this print called Diggin’ Potatoes, and it's all about mark-making with graphite, a real celebration of the humble pencil. Look closely, and you'll see how he's built up the tones, layering stroke upon stroke to create form and depth. It's like he's sculpting with light and shadow, isn't it? There's a real tactile quality to this print, the way Campbell renders the rough textures of the field, the burlap sacks, and the weathered faces of the farmers. See how the light catches the curve of the woman's back as she stoops to gather potatoes? Or the way the sky seems to press down on the land, heavy with atmosphere. It's all in the details, those tiny, deliberate marks that bring the scene to life. I'm reminded of the work of artists like Thomas Hart Benton, who captured the dignity and hardship of rural life with such honesty and empathy. And it's a reminder that art doesn't always have to be loud or flashy to be profound. Sometimes, it's the quiet, unassuming gestures that speak the loudest.