Shaker Refectory Table c. 1939

Lon Cronk made this drawing of a Shaker Refectory Table sometime in the 20th century. Look at these parallel lines of color that make up the surface of the wood. Imagine him patiently applying each line to create form and depth. He must have been thinking about the original maker of the table, the Shakers, who believed in simplicity, utility, and honesty in design. I can almost feel Cronk channeling the Shaker's dedication, trying to capture not just the object, but the spirit behind it. It’s like he's thinking, "How can I, through my own hand, honor this tradition?" The warm browns and creams, rendered so meticulously, invite us to reflect on the quiet, communal meals once shared around such a table. It also makes me wonder, is Cronk trying to bring the Shaker aesthetic into our own time? Artists are always building on the past, aren’t they? They are transforming traditions by bringing old forms and ideas into a new conversation. They’re saying, “Hey, let’s think about this again, but in a different light.”