HITTY by Rachel Field 8 1929

This image is a Dorothy Lathrop illustration for the book *HITTY* by Rachel Field, full of dense, dark blacks and bright whites. I can feel the artist, probably working with ink, carefully building up each form, unsure of the outcome, yet certain of the next mark. I’m drawn to how Lathrop uses the texture of the plants and flowers to frame the figure, guiding our eye while also creating a sense of depth. It makes me think about the tradition of illustration and how it's often undervalued as a "lesser" form of art, even though so many artists throughout history have honed their skills in this field. The composition reminds me a bit of the work of Aubrey Beardsley, known for his intricate designs and use of negative space. You get the sense that Dorothy would have been looking at these artists, riffing on their ideas, and bringing something new to the visual dialogue. We all do it, you know? That's how we grow as artists!