Silver Teapot 1935 - 1942

This is David P. Willoughby’s ‘Silver Teapot’ rendered on paper, and what I love about it is the way it marries precision with a kind of dreamy softness. I can see how Willoughby really studied the form of the teapot, those elegant curves and the delicate spout. Imagine him, pencil in hand, carefully outlining the shape, then building up the tone with gentle washes. I bet he paused, squinted, maybe stepped back to check the proportions, just like I do when I'm working on a new piece. That handle, a warm, inviting curve of wood, contrasts so nicely with the cool sheen of the silver. And look at the subtle variations in tone, how the light catches the surface, giving it depth and weight. It reminds me of Morandi's still lifes, those quiet meditations on everyday objects. It's like Willoughby is saying, "Look closely, there's beauty to be found in the simplest things." We’re all in conversation with each other, all the time, and this painting is a gentle reminder of that fact.