Andiron or Fire Dog c. 1941

Paul Poffinbarger made this drawing of andirons, or fire dogs, with what looks like watercolor, and its dedication to process really jumps out at me. I love how the careful rendering gives these mundane objects an almost totemic presence. There's such a loving attention to the gradations of light and shadow, the way the forms swell and curve. I am curious about the surface here; you can see the subtle variations and textures in the metal. It feels like Poffinbarger is inviting us to consider the quiet beauty of functional objects. Look at the top of the andirons - the way the artist models the curves, building up color to create a sense of depth. Artists like Vija Celmins come to mind, with their interest in common objects, but here, there is something altogether more humble. Ultimately, this drawing reminds me that art is always an invitation to look closer, to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, and to find beauty in the unexpected.