Handwoven Coverlet c. 1939

M. Louise Kent made this handwoven coverlet in 1866, and the weaving itself is a kind of drawing. The threads act like lines, carefully placed to build up these delicate botanical motifs. Think about how the texture of the fabric becomes part of the image, adding a tactile quality that you just don't get with painting. The patterns are laid out in blocks of pale green and coral, and it's interesting how the coral sections are dappled, like a rough sketch of the final pattern. The lower section includes a date and architectural forms – little buildings nestling among the foliage. There's a kind of folk art charm to this that reminds me of the work of Bill Traylor, where the simplified forms and repetition create a powerful, graphic language. Both artists create works that leave space for the viewer's imagination. It's less about a perfect image, and more about an open invitation.