Weehawken, Grain Elevators c. 1915

John Marin made this pencil drawing, Weehawken, Grain Elevators, with an overall lightness of touch. It’s all about the energy of the line. Look how the marks build up, like a storm gathering over the industrial landscape. I imagine Marin, standing there, maybe on a cold day, rapidly sketching, trying to capture not just the look of the grain elevators, but the feeling of the place. The drawing isn't trying to be a perfect rendering, more like a quick, intuitive response. See how the lines vibrate and intersect, creating a sense of movement. It's like the buildings themselves are breathing. Marin’s work always reminds me that painting is an act of translation, a way of turning the world into something felt. It is interesting to see how he explores similar themes in other works, often with watercolors. There is a whole conversation going on between artists, across time, all inspiring each other.