Chintz c. 1936

Suzanne Roy made this "Chintz" design with some kind of paint or ink, and it's like she’s playing with the idea of how something repetitive can still feel lively. I love the way the texture is built up. Look at the flower heads! Roy uses these tiny marks and dots, almost like she’s knitting with paint. It’s not flat; you can feel the rhythm of her hand, the press and lift of the brush. The colors—those muted reds, greens, and browns—they're not trying to scream, but they have this earthy depth, like old dyes. And see how the patterns overlap and intertwine, nothing quite lines up perfectly? It reminds me of how Anni Albers used to approach weaving; finding freedom within a structure. Roy's piece isn't just about repeating a motif, it’s about the life that happens in the making. It's about the conversation between control and accident, which to me, is what art's all about.