Crock c. 1938

John Tarantino made this artwork, 'Crock', using what looks like graphite and watercolor on paper. The crock emerges subtly, built from delicate marks and soft washes. I can feel the artist gently coaxing the form out of the blank page, following the gentle curve with a light hand. The blue decoration is applied like a tattoo, almost like he’s giving the piece a little personality. I wonder if he had a specific crock in mind or whether he was inventing. This feels like a quiet observation, a moment of contemplation amidst the hustle. It reminds me of Giorgio Morandi's still lifes, where everyday objects become profound subjects through careful attention. Tarantino is part of a larger conversation, I think, about how we see, how we value, and what we choose to immortalize through art. It's like he's saying, "Hey, even a simple crock can be beautiful if you really look." And isn't that the truth?