Churn 1936

Charles Caseau made this drawing of a churn, sometime in the 20th century, using pencil and watercolor. It’s all about process, isn’t it? You can see the artist figuring it out as he goes. There is a tangible sense of an object rendered in thin, translucent washes of grey. The blue floral decoration is applied with a certain casualness, like a sketch within a sketch. It’s not about perfection; it’s about capturing the idea of a churn. Look closely at that little blue bird. It’s like a shorthand for birdness. It’s not trying to trick you into thinking it’s real. It's just… there. Caseau’s churn reminds me of the work of Fairfield Porter. Both artists find beauty in the everyday, celebrating the quiet dignity of simple objects. It reminds us that art is all around, in the things we use and the images we make of them. So, what do you see when you look at this churn?