Shaker Dress 1935 - 1942

Lillian Causey, who lived a long life, made this study of a "Shaker Dress", sometime during her career, using a delicate watercolor wash. The beauty of this piece lies in its simplicity. The limited palette, mostly blacks, whites, and grays, focuses your attention on the form. See how the folds of the skirt pool like liquid? The artist is clearly working with a fluid approach, allowing the medium to behave naturally and almost unpredictably. Now look closely at the white shawl. Notice how the edges are not sharply defined, but rather softly blurred. This creates a gentle, almost ethereal quality, giving a sense of movement and breath to the piece. These delicate marks, they aren’t just about representing a dress, they are about capturing a feeling, or a memory. Causey's work reminds me a bit of Agnes Martin's quiet, contemplative drawings. Both artists share a similar interest in exploring the subtle nuances of line, form, and color to create works that evoke a sense of calm and introspection. Art, after all, is an ongoing conversation across time.