Arts and Crafts c. 1935

Alice Standish Buell created this print called ‘Arts and Crafts’ at some point during her career. It’s a pretty small image made using etching, full of cross-hatched marks in black ink. I wonder what Buell was thinking when she made this? There’s a lot of architectural detail and the suggestion of an interior space, but it also has this dreamlike quality. The lines seem to be vibrating with energy. Look at how she's made that archway. It gives us the bare minimum of information while creating depth with the contrast of shadow. It’s not about perfection; it’s more about feeling. There is a beautiful rhythm to all the lines. Etching involves physically incising an image onto a metal plate, then covering it with ink. This creates a texture and depth that’s impossible to get with other media. The image almost emerges out of darkness. I love how this quality gives it such an intense presence! Painters often work in conversation with one another, over time, sharing and responding to each other’s ideas. For me, Buell’s etching is a reminder that art can be both a reflection of the world and a deeply personal expression.