Baker's Mixing Spoon c. 1939

Paul Poffinbarger made this drawing of a Baker's Mixing Spoon using graphite and colored pencil. It's kinda lovely, don't you think? The artist really captures the feel of this everyday object. Look closely at the rendering of the wood grain, it’s so simple but effective, and the subtle colour palette gives the spoon such a sense of volume. It’s also amazing how he captures light; see how the pencil strokes follow the form, giving it the impression of being lit from above? There’s a quiet dignity in this drawing, it reminds me of the work of Giorgio Morandi, who also found endless inspiration in humble, everyday objects. Both artists invite us to slow down and really see the beauty in the mundane, in the process of looking itself. Art is an ongoing conversation, always asking questions.