Underneath Cloth c. 1938

Marie Alain made this textile design, "Underneath Cloth", with watercolor and graphite. There is such energy in the application of the paint, like a fast, unburdened rhythm. I am drawn to the way the red and blue create a dance, a back-and-forth, between the star and the flowers. The way the artist uses the graphite underneath the watercolor, adds a layer of depth. It is possible to see the hand of the artist in this piece. You can see the individual strokes of the brush, the way the paint is applied to the surface. It is transparent in places, revealing the graphite underneath, and opaque in others, creating a sense of depth and texture. Look closely at the way the artist uses the blue to create a sense of movement and flow. It reminds me of Anni Albers' weaving, her focus on material and process. Like Albers, Alain is interested in the way that art can be both beautiful and functional, and in the way that it can be used to create meaning and connection. Art is always an ongoing conversation.