Quilt - Tulip Design c. 1937

Ethel Dougan made this tulip design for a quilt, probably on paper, using colored pencil or crayon. I imagine her meticulously plotting out these cheerful red flowers and vibrant green leaves, maybe in her kitchen, sunlight pouring through the window, a cup of tea nearby. I feel for her, because as a painter, you have to be so certain and so uncertain at the same time. It’s like, ‘Yes, this flower goes here, but how do I make it sing?’ You can see the careful consideration in each stroke, each color choice. The red against the green, those little yellow accents—it's a garden on paper. It reminds me of the work of other folk artists, but also more recent artists who embrace pattern. It's a reminder that we're all in conversation, borrowing and building on each other's visions. Painting is a wild garden that keeps blooming in unexpected ways.