Butter Mold c. 1939

John Price painted this butter mold, likely with watercolor, at an unknown date. The even, soft tones remind me of my own process, the way I layer and build up colors until they feel just right. Look at the way he's rendered the wood grain, all these little strokes and lines, each one carefully placed. It feels like he's not just showing us what the mold looks like, but what it feels like to hold it in your hands. I love how the light catches on the edges, making the whole thing glow. See that small semi-circular area, how it is rendered by small, sharp, and careful dark strokes? This area appears darker than the whole and makes the mold look as if it is a real object. This piece reminds me of some of the early American folk art I've seen, simple objects elevated through careful observation. It’s a good reminder that art can be found in the everyday, if you just take the time to look. There's no right or wrong way to experience art, it’s all about feeling and seeing.