Details of Patchwork Quilt c. 1937

Gladys Phillips made this watercolour painting, Details of Patchwork Quilt, on paper. I love the simple arrangement of diamond shapes, each one holding a unique pattern. Imagine Gladys carefully painting each diamond, maybe inspired by scraps of fabric she had around her. Did she have favorite patterns, ones that brought back memories or sparked new ideas? I wonder if she saw each diamond as a little world, a microcosm of her life and experiences? The repetition of shapes reminds me of Agnes Martin's grids, but with a playful, folksy twist. Each diamond feels like a conversation, a dialogue between color, pattern, and form. Phillips is in conversation with all those who piece things together, whether on a canvas or a quilt.