Shawl Strap c. 1938

This "Shawl Strap" was drawn by Grace Halpin, who lived from 1855 to 1995, and it gives off a strong vibe of careful observation, like each little stitch is a tiny decision. The way Halpin captures the texture of the woven fabric is pretty amazing. She’s built up the image with layers of watercolor, but it's almost like she’s trying to mimic the real thing, that red is so tactile! And look at the way she’s rendered the leather straps, they almost feel worn and supple. It's like she's not just painting an object, but also the feeling of it. There’s something deeply satisfying about the repetitive pattern along the strap, that brick like pattern. It reminds me a little of the work of Agnes Martin, the way she could create these deeply moving experiences just by arranging lines on a page. Both artists show how much can be said with a very considered hand. It really shows you that painting is a conversation across time and place.