Grain Scoop c. 1939

LeRoy Griffith made this drawing of a grain scoop, we don't know when, using graphite and crayon. What strikes me is how he renders light and shadow. It’s not just about representing an object, it's about exploring tone through mark-making. Look at the scoop itself. Griffith uses gradations of brown and grey to give the object a feeling of three-dimensionality. The subtle changes in tone suggest the form turning in space. You can almost feel the weight of it. The handle is particularly interesting - those small details like the rivets add a human touch, and that sensitivity reminds me of the drawings of Philip Guston. This reminds us that art can be found in the everyday, and there’s beauty and skill in the simple act of observation. It’s about how the artist helps us to slow down and see the world in a different way.