These are some of the drawings I did on the last day of this project. I chose 486 for the 90th, because it was the one most in the spirit of Morandi. I saw the exhibit this weekend (along with Miro at MOMA and Alfred Kubin at the Neue Gallery) and I was not disappointed. Morandi’s works were grouped in series. He was quoted as saying that because he chose to focus on a limited number of objects, he had to really work hard to find subtle distinctions amongst them. He read about and studied works of old masters and contemporary artists, but mostly followed his own path. His drawings and watercolors are much more abstract than the oils, although the oil paintings have an ambiguity that sometimes defies logic. He once said “I don’t ask for anything except for a bit of peace which is indispensable for me to work.” I find it relaxing to draw when I am least concerned about the outcome or particular subject matter. The exercise in daily drawing (The Still Life Project), along with reading about and seeing Morandi’s work, has made my drawings more natural and effortless.–KAD

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