Beaded Moccasin 1935 - 1942

Melita Hofmann made this drawing of a beaded moccasin on a modest sheet of paper, no date. Imagine her carefully rendering the soft folds of the fabric with subtle shading, really feeling for the three-dimensional form as she builds it up with her pencil. I wonder if Hofmann was interested in the way the light plays across the surface of the moccasin? See how she uses delicate hatching to suggest the texture and intricate beadwork? The colours feel muted, and I get the sense Hofmann was trying to capture the quiet beauty of everyday objects. I like the way she seems to let her attention linger on the patterns, the subtle irregularities. I feel like I can sense her curiosity and close looking in every line. That’s what drawing is all about, right? The attempt to slow down and really notice the world around you. Hofmann’s drawing makes me want to grab my own pencils and start looking all over again.