Teapot c. 1937

Ludmilla Calderon made this drawing of a teapot with graphite on paper. It has a hushed quality, like a whisper. I wonder what she was thinking about as she worked on it. It feels like she must have been very close to the object, studying it intently. Maybe she was interested in geometry or engineering, how the forms fit together. Or was it more of a meditation? Look at the shading, how it gives volume to the object. She really committed to the slow, quiet process of building up those tones. The handle is especially beautiful, with its smooth curves and delicate lines. Drawing is a lot like painting – it's all about seeing and responding. The slightest adjustment can change everything. I wonder what she would make of my paintings? It’s funny to think of artists across time looking at each other's work, inspiring each other.