Lock Handle and Key Plate c. 1936

This drawing of a lock handle and key plate was made by Jack Staloff, we don't know when, but it feels process-oriented, a kind of careful and deliberate study of form and material. Look at the way Staloff renders the brassy sheen of the metal with colored pencil. The surface is built up with layers of thin, translucent strokes, creating a subtle shimmer. The graphite outlines are precise but there's also a softness to the shading that keeps the whole thing from feeling too rigid. Notice the way the light catches the edges of the handle, how the graphite is smudged just so, giving it a tactile quality. It reminds me of Morandi, that incredible Italian painter, who also used a muted palette and simple forms to create these quiet, contemplative worlds. Art’s an ongoing conversation, right?