Patchwork Quilt c. 1936

Elizabeth Valentine drew this "Patchwork Quilt" with graphite and colored pencil on paper, and it's all about pattern and process. The repetition of shapes and colors feels so meditative, like Valentine was really in the zone, exploring endless variations within a set of rules. I love how the texture of the paper comes through. You can almost feel the tooth of it under the colored pencil. The colors are muted, like they've been faded by the sun, which gives the whole piece a comforting, vintage vibe. Notice how each little hexagon is unique, filled with its own tiny world of marks and patterns. It's like Valentine is saying that even within the most rigid structure, there's always room for improvisation and play. Thinking about someone like Ree Morton and her interest in the domestic, "Patchwork Quilt" reminds us that artmaking can be found in the everyday, in the simple act of arranging and rearranging what's already there. It’s about embracing the messiness and the imperfections and finding beauty in the process.