Man's Beaded Taffeta Necktie 1935 - 1942

Verna Tallman drew this man’s beaded taffeta necktie on paper with watercolor. The shades of deep blue are luscious, almost edible. Imagine her, perched with the tie in front of her, carefully rendering the fabric’s sheen and the tiny glass beads! She probably held her breath as she dabbed at the paper, trying to capture the beads’ gleam. I can almost feel the smooth taffeta and the satisfying weight of the beaded embellishments in my own hands. Tallman was clearly interested in the overall design of this object, the cross motifs, and the sparkle of the beads. Her practice echoes that of other artists who find inspiration in the everyday. Her work reminds us that painting isn’t just about grand gestures, it is also about attentiveness to detail and an appreciation for the beauty of the ordinary. Ultimately, artists engage in conversations across time. Tallman invites us to find beauty in the functional and to celebrate the craftsmanship inherent in everyday life. I think that's pretty cool.