Hooked Rug c. 1936

This hooked rug design was made by Elizabeth Valentine, likely at some point in the mid-20th century. The stippled ground and the way the colors are built up reminds me of pointillism, but with a softer touch. It's all about these tiny, repetitive marks, like the artist is patiently building a world, stitch by stitch. Look at the little flowers, each one a slightly different color, a slightly different shape. It’s an incredibly intimate and repetitive process, the kind where you can really lose yourself in the making. I love the muted palette and the gentle way Valentine coaxes detail out of the design. The overall effect is decorative and charming. The rug feels almost Fauvist in its embrace of joyful, expressive color and pattern. This piece reminds me of the work of outsider artists like Bill Traylor, who found their own unique language. These artists aren't afraid to go their own way, and that’s what makes their work so exciting. Art, after all, is about freedom, about embracing all the weird and wonderful possibilities.