Butter Mold c. 1937

This Butter Mold was rendered in watercolor by Wilbur M Rice, though we don’t know exactly when. I love how Rice depicts this humble object, a tool, with such care and attention. The light wood is rendered with delicate strokes of brown and tan, giving it a warm glow. It’s funny how color can do that, right? The mold itself is the star of the show, suspended in space, while little sketched details hover around it. I’m drawn to the cross-hatched pattern inside the mold, a grid of tiny diamonds waiting to imprint themselves on a pat of butter. It’s a reminder that art isn't just about the finished product; it's about the process. Each mark, each line, each dab of color is a step in a journey. There's something so satisfying about the way Rice shows us the beauty in the everyday. It reminds me of the work of Charles Sheeler, who found poetry in the clean lines of industrial design. Both artists see the world with fresh eyes, revealing the hidden beauty in the things we often take for granted.