Coin Purse c. 1940

Here's a watercolor and graphite of a coin purse by Ruth M. Barnes. I love the smocking at the top, and the way the beads at the bottom create this delicate fringe. I can imagine the repetitive, meditative process of making this purse. Barnes has patiently rendered the texture of the fabric, the sheen of the beads, and the delicate details of the floral motifs. What was she thinking as she worked? Was she lost in thought, or was her mind a blank canvas for dreams? The red ribbon evokes a sense of playfulness. It suggests a personal connection, a desire to add a touch of joy to an otherwise practical object. There’s something about the intimacy of the object that reminds me of the work of textile artists like Anni Albers or Sheila Hicks, who explore the emotional and expressive possibilities of thread.