Waistcoat 1935 - 1942

Lillian Causey made this rendering of a waistcoat. Look at the subtle dance of color and form, a testament to the artist's patient and unwavering hand. Each delicate flower, each curving vine, painstakingly painted. I can imagine Causey, brush in hand, hovering over the page, and working on the tiny details. It's fascinating to see the different ways artists approach the same subject, all while adding something of themselves into the mix. It makes me think of outsider artists like Henry Darger, who also created intricate and highly personal artworks, using his unique vision to explore themes of innocence, beauty, and darkness. But Causey's waistcoat goes beyond mere representation. It's a deeply personal and embodied expression, blurring the lines between observation and creation. It invites us to engage with painting not as a fixed statement but as an open-ended dialogue.