Silver Mug c. 1936

Here's Clayton Braun’s “Silver Mug,” made with graphite on paper. I’m fascinated by the interplay between representation and design in this drawing. Look at the main rendering of the mug. It’s like Braun is coaxing the form into being with his pencil, carefully building up the tones to capture the play of light on its metallic surface. Then there are the smaller studies at the top, almost like annotations or variations on a theme. I imagine Braun circling the object, trying to capture its essence from different angles, considering how it might be adorned with an emblem. The handle is particularly interesting, with its delicate curves and flourishes. It's like he's thinking about not just the object itself, but how it feels in the hand, how it invites touch and use. It reminds me of Morandi's still lifes, where everyday objects become vehicles for exploring form, light, and the quiet beauty of the mundane. Artists have always been inspired by one another, picking up threads and weaving them into their own unique tapestries. Painting is an ongoing conversation, and Braun is a part of it, inviting us to look closely and consider what it means to truly see.