Pie Plate c. 1937

Elmer Weise made this painting of a pie plate sometime between 1855 and 1995, but with what? The surface has a dry, matte finish. The center of the plate is a reddish-brown, like a stain. Then these bright yellow cursive loops dance on top. I can imagine Elmer, turning the plate as they painted, trying to work out what to put there, maybe with a shaky hand? And look, there’s a cross-section of the plate on the right, like a technical drawing or diagram. It's very simple and plain. It reminds me of some of the sign painters I’ve looked at in the past. I always think about how artists are in an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas, inspiring each other, even if they’re not aware of it. The pie plate painting embodies an expression, an unpretentious approach, which makes it easy to find something new every time you look at it.