Patchwork Squares c. 1941

Charlotte Angus made this drawing of two patchwork squares, probably in the mid 20th century. I love how Angus isolates these quilt patterns, giving us space to consider the designs and the making of quilts. The texture she achieves with simple watercolor is pretty incredible, right? The way the red bleeds slightly, giving it that cozy, lived-in feel. And the contrast with the cream ground makes those geometric shapes pop. I like the contrast between the intricate patterns within the red shapes and the flat neutrality of the background. It’s like she's saying, "Hey, look at this! Here’s a pattern that is repeated in quilts across the country." I think of Gee’s Bend quilters and their abstract compositions when looking at Angus’s work. There is a conversation happening here between the textile arts and painting that celebrates the tactile and the handmade. And that's something worth pondering.