Printed Cotton 1938

J. Howard Iams created these printed cotton designs, probably on paper, judging by the flat delicate color washes. I can imagine him, in his studio, conjuring up these floral patterns, maybe with a tiny brush, repeating, and arranging the motifs just so. The main square is an explosion of roses, pinks, and greens, like a miniature garden bursting with life. It's as if he captured the fleeting beauty of a summer bloom. Did he have a favorite flower? Was he thinking about interior decoration at all? And then there are the other patterns - stripes and zigzags - each a different mood, a different rhythm. Iams is playing with contrasts, different ways of seeing. Like he's saying, “Hey, look at all these possibilities!” The patterns remind me of those by William Morris, who also loved flowers. I feel like there’s a quiet conversation happening here across time.