Bonnet 1935 - 1942

Dorothy Gernon made this drawing of a bonnet with an unknown medium on paper, and the real magic is in the process she chose. It’s all about the gentle control, with each line carefully placed, a testament to seeing as a form of knowing. Look at how the light-green lines define the ruffles, a delicate dance of shadow and suggestion. Gernon isn’t just showing us a bonnet; she’s revealing a world built on quiet observation and meticulous rendering. You can almost feel the texture of the fabric, the way it folds and gathers, all from these simple marks. The way Gernon approaches her subject reminds me of Agnes Martin, in her dedication to the grid, both artists share this commitment to capturing an essence through repetition. It’s this kind of art that makes you slow down, look closer, and appreciate the subtle poetry of everyday life.