Mortar and Pestle c. 1938

Anne Colman’s ‘Mortar and Pestle’ is a drawing of a wooden vessel, and you know, I’m always interested in how an artist approaches a subject so directly. There’s something about the way Colman uses the color in such a light, transparent way, almost like watercolor but with a very fine, controlled line. Looking closely, you can see these tiny, deliberate marks that build up the form, giving the wood a sense of depth and roundness. The texture is implied through the shading, making you feel like you could reach out and touch the smooth surface of the wood, the way the light catches the edges. It reminds me a little of Agnes Martin’s quiet attention to detail, that focus on the subtle variations within a limited palette. Both artists share a similar interest in artmaking as a process, embracing ambiguity, and multiple interpretations.