Embroidered Picture c. 1936

Gordena Jackson’s ‘Embroidered Picture’ presents a delicate vase of flowers, lovingly stitched, a testament to patience and care. The muted palette speaks of time, of colors gently fading, or perhaps a conscious choice to evoke a sense of calm. Embroidery is a process, each stitch a deliberate act, layering thread upon thread to create form and texture. Look closely at the vase – it's rendered with a simple, almost childlike quality, yet the repetition of the stitches creates a rhythm, a visual hum. The flowers burst forth with a naive exuberance, each petal and leaf outlined with thread, capturing their essence in a way that feels both heartfelt and precise. The asymmetry, the slight imperfections, these are the things that give the work its charm, its honesty. It reminds me of the art of Bill Traylor, in its directness and its quiet power. It invites us to slow down, to appreciate the beauty in simplicity, and to find joy in the act of making.