Plate 9 1940 - 1943

Louie H. Ewing made Plate 9 with watercolor and graphite on paper. The pale pink background feels like a foundation, a soft canvas for something bolder, which comes in the form of dark blue-grey diamonds separated by green, a color palette that feels both grounded and dreamlike. The texture here is deceiving. At first glance, the lines seem uniform, but look closer. Each stroke varies, a testament to the human hand. This is where the work gets interesting, when the process is really showcased. It reminds me of when I start a painting. There’s the initial idea, but the real magic happens in the push and pull of the materials. Take one of the blue horizontal lines in the central diamonds, see how it wavers, almost breathes? It’s not just a line; it's a record of a moment, a decision. That imperfect line, for me, is where the art lives. It’s this kind of mark making which reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin, where the painting is felt as much as it is seen. Ultimately, it’s up to you what this piece means, and the conversation is always ongoing.