Crock c. 1938

Charles Caseau made this drawing of a crock, we don’t know exactly when, using pencil and watercolor. You can see the initial marks in pencil underneath the blue watercolor – there's a real sense of process, of trying to figure things out as you go. The way Caseau applies the watercolor is so interesting. It's thin and transparent, almost like a wash, allowing the texture of the paper to show through. This makes the surface feel alive, like it's breathing. The drawing is simple but charming, which makes you look closer. Notice the blue decoration, like something organic, maybe grapes, and see how the glaze pools in the little crevices, it’s so satisfying. This piece reminds me of drawings by William H. Johnson with its straightforwardness and quiet intensity. It's a reminder that art isn't always about grand gestures; sometimes, it's about capturing the beauty in the everyday.