Waistcoat c. 1936

Nancy Crimi's "Waistcoat" is a painted image of clothing, but for me, it's all about the act of painting itself. What a patient endeavor to capture the clothing's decoration! I can imagine Crimi hunched over this work, meticulously layering each tiny floral motif and delicate figure. It's like she's creating her own little world right there on the page. The palette is very muted with soft pinks, blues and greens that feel both nostalgic and intimate. It reminds me of the work of Florine Stettheimer, who also used painting to explore themes of femininity and domesticity. The texture, the color, the surface. These things aren’t just there; they’re shaping our experience, giving the piece its emotional and intellectual resonance. The way Crimi rendered the blue trim of the garment, with all those tiny marks, it communicates intention, meaning. It speaks of a devotion to ornamentation and the beauty of the everyday. Artists like Crimi inspire my creativity by showing me the simple beauty of making.