Cravat c. 1937

Catherine Fowler made this watercolor of a cravat at some point in her long life, she lived to be 90! You can really see the hand of the artist in the work, it feels quite gentle and soft, and the whole thing looks so light. The surface of the paper is really visible, and the paint seems very thin, almost like a wash. It's interesting how she uses the blue to give depth to the folds and creases of the fabric. The little flowers and vines are just so delicate, like she really cared about each little detail. Look at the way the cravat is tied. It's kind of wonky and off-center, which gives the drawing a real sense of personality. I'm reminded of the work of another outsider artist, Henry Darger, in the way that Fowler seems to create her own world with its own rules and logic, that’s what makes it so special and unique.