Sugar Bowl c. 1940

Rolland Livingstone made this "Sugar Bowl" drawing with what looks like watercolor or gouache. The whole thing has a real sense of light and airy color, like a faded memory. I love how the simple washes of blue create the form and volume of the bowl. You can almost feel the light passing through the glass. Notice how Livingstone plays with transparency, letting the white of the paper peek through to suggest highlights and reflections. It’s incredible how just a few strokes can evoke a sense of depth and roundness. The little details, like the subtle variations in tone, show such attention to the object itself. It reminds me a little bit of Giorgio Morandi's still life paintings, just more illustrative, with a similar interest in the poetry of everyday objects and their quiet beauty. The piece is a testament to how even the simplest of subjects can be rendered with sensitivity and care, inviting us to pause and appreciate the world around us.