Shaker Dining Table and Chairs c. 1937

Lon Cronk made this drawing of a Shaker Dining Table and Chairs, and what strikes me right away is the lovely, muted palette and the way he lets the under-drawing peek through. It's like seeing the ghost of the idea beneath the finished form. There's something about the way the brown wash is applied, so thin and washy, that gives it a provisional feel. Look at the legs of the table, how they flare out with this gentle curve – it’s both sturdy and delicate. The drawing lines give you all the measurements, but they also create this intricate web around the solid forms, suggesting movement and possibility. You know, seeing this reminds me a little of Agnes Martin's subtle grids. Both artists share a similar sensibility in their work. Neither artist is necessarily trying to nail things down, but rather, open up a space for contemplation. Like the best art, this drawing invites you to linger, to imagine, and to see the world with fresh eyes.