Sugar Bowl c. 1939

Here's a Sugar Bowl, made by Henry Moran, most likely with watercolor or gouache. There’s something really interesting about the way the colors here are so simple, yet they give depth and shape to this otherwise simple object. It's a lesson in how to make something from nothing. The way that Moran layers his thin washes of grey-blue paint create an almost shimmering effect – you can almost feel the coldness of the metal, its surface reflecting the light. See how the brushstrokes move in different directions to show the curve of the sugar bowl, building up volume with each layer. The individual marks aren’t hidden, they’re part of the whole experience. It’s like he is thinking through the act of painting. It reminds me of Giorgio Morandi's still lifes. Both artists find endless possibilities in everyday objects. Ultimately, Moran makes us realize that art doesn’t always have to shout; sometimes it can whisper.