Butter Mold c. 1941

Mary Owen made this watercolor drawing of a butter mold sometime in the 20th century. It's fascinating how she captures the texture and detail of something so ordinary. Owen's approach to the drawing seems to be about meticulous observation. The color palette is earthy and muted, emphasizing the wood's natural tones. You can almost feel the grain of the wood and the slight imperfections in the carving. Each groove and ridge is rendered with care. If you look closely at the central star, you can see how the lines aren’t perfectly uniform, giving it a handmade quality. It reminds me of the drawings of everyday objects by Giotto, the way he turned quotidian things into something special. Owen’s drawing is more than just a representation; it's a celebration of craft. Like all art, there's room for our interpretation, for the stories we bring to it.