Grape Leaves II 1974

Ellsworth Kelly made this drawing of grape leaves with a delicate line. I think about how Kelly looked at these leaves, really looked. He probably spent a lot of time with them, looking and looking, trying to figure out their shape. It looks easy, but capturing the essence of something so simple is hard, you know? I can imagine him outside with his sketchpad, just gazing, trying to understand the way the leaves connect to the stem. He was famous for his plant drawings and I guess he liked the way they were sort of flat and abstract, but still recognizable. It reminds me of other artists like Matisse, who also made a lot of plant drawings. They are both part of this big conversation between artists, sharing ideas across time. It’s a reminder that art isn’t just about grand gestures; it can also be about quiet observation and a deep appreciation for the natural world.