I had set up a still life for my drawing class, and almost as an afterthought put this old watering can on the floor beneath. It quickly became an object of curiosity and several people made it their path of study for the evening. I couldn’t resist and joined in. It has a simple yet beautiful form, is a vessel, designed to hold water, and is a commonplace item. That is to say, its beauty is simple and utilitarian. On the table above, an orange and a pear sit. Still Life as a study in art often has many hidden commentaries or parallels. Often I am reminded of a landscape or seascape, or figures or buildings. In this case, it was the water the can contained (or didn’t) and the simple geometry of round shapes, almost like a musical instrument.
