Teapot - "Mt. Vernon" c. 1936

This "Mt. Vernon" teapot was made by Helmut Hiatt, who lived a long life, from 1855 to 1995. The monochromatic palette creates a striking, antique feel, like a faded photograph brought to life on porcelain. I love how Hiatt approached decorating this object. It is less about precise replication and more about storytelling. The textures play a key role. The smooth, glazed surface invites touch, yet the narrative imagery hints at something beyond mere utility. Take a look at the depiction of the building, perhaps Mt. Vernon itself. The sketchy quality of the lines, the way the details blur, gives it an almost dreamlike presence. This work reminds me of outsider art, where the focus is on personal expression over technical perfection. It invites us to consider art as an ongoing, evolving conversation, one that values feeling and story over rigid representation.