Crewel Embroidery Valance c. 1937

Lawrence Peterson made this Crewel Embroidery Valance, but we don't know when. The colors are muted, soft; not unlike what happens to a painting after a century or so. The stitched lines meander and build up like layers of paint, giving the plants a sculptural presence. There’s a real freedom in how he mixes the colors, a kind of intuitive understanding of how different hues can vibrate together. Check out that little blue bird, perched so casually. Its tail feathers blend seamlessly into the landscape; it’s as if the whole scene is breathing together. You can almost feel Peterson's hand guiding the needle, each stitch a thoughtful decision, building into a conversation, like jazz. This piece reminds me of some of Henri Rousseau's landscapes, where things don't quite line up but somehow, magically, they do. Art is about creating our own version of reality, isn't it? It’s like we’re all just having one big, ongoing conversation.