Stoneware Pitcher c. 1939

This drawing of a stoneware pitcher was made by Richard Barnett. It's got that folk-art feel, you know? I'm thinking about Barnett, sitting with his pencils, trying to nail that gentle curve of the pitcher, the way the light must have played on its surface. Did he feel the weight of the object in his hands as he drew it? I can imagine him pausing, squinting, then diving back in, trying to get just the right amount of shadow. He has used a thin wash to subtly model the form and capture the simple but elegant shape. The color is very muted, emphasizing the textures of the stoneware. The decoration is very homespun, too. It's like he's whispering a story about the everyday, about objects that hold life, hold water, hold memories. And in that quiet act of drawing, Barnett reminds us that art is everywhere, in the simplest things. It's a really touching piece, it speaks to the ongoing conversation that is art-making.