Mortar and Pestle c. 1936

Ludmilla Calderon made this drawing of a mortar and pestle, a kitchen tool, in muted browns. It looks like it's made with watercolor pencil, a technique that allows the artist to blend the pigment, creating soft and diffuse edges. I can imagine Ludmilla carefully observing this object, noting its smooth, curved surfaces and the way the light reflects off the wood. Maybe she was interested in the play of light and shadow or maybe she was just interested in the form. Look at the detail on the handle of the pestle! I'd say she was pretty interested. The mortar is also interesting because it has a crack down the side and is quite obviously used. What I find interesting is that she also included a small diagram to the side. It’s almost like she wants us to know how she sees it, not just what she sees. Artists are always having a conversation with each other, even across generations. We are always taking notes from each other.