Cross Stitch c. 1938

This 'Cross Stitch' work, made by Elmer Weise, probably involved hours, days, maybe even months of dedication. I can only imagine how it came into being, stitch by careful stitch. I’m thinking about Elmer, the maker. I like to imagine him carefully selecting each thread, building up this wreath of roses and forget-me-nots on a background of velvety black. And I'm wondering about how the process might have been meditative, how each tiny ‘x’ could be like a brushstroke. I am thinking of Agnes Martin and the slow process of her mark making. There’s something so lovely about this art form. It is humble. It’s so unlike the bravado we often find in painting, and yet it’s no less evocative. The dark background makes the colorful floral wreath pop; it reminds me of the Dutch masters and their still life paintings. Each stitch feels intentional, and together they form a conversation that speaks to us about patience, beauty, and the love of making.