Pie Plate c. 1939

Carl Buergerniss made this watercolor of a pie plate, we don’t know exactly when, but he’s working within a long tradition of still life painting. I think he's probably thinking about folk art, given the style and subject. I can imagine him carefully building up the tones to capture the earthy hues of the plate and the soft glow of light across its surface. It's all about humble beauty, and he's committed to the bit! The slightly wobbly lines and muted colors remind me of Fairfield Porter, who was interested in the everyday. This pie plate, with its simple form and muted palette, becomes an object of contemplation. It's a reminder that artists are constantly looking, observing, and transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.