A Stitch in Time 1957

This is *A Stitch in Time* by Gil Elvgren. The smooth gradations of color create a dreamy atmosphere, where the process seems almost hidden, like a glamorous secret. But look closely at the hem she’s “mending” and notice how the fabric folds and stretches. Elvgren uses light and shadow to create volume, and that color is just gorgeously creamy! Each stroke builds up the image, like a puzzle gradually assembled. It reminds me of Norman Rockwell, but with a wink. Both artists were masters of narrative, but Elvgren’s work is more playful, a bit cheeky. There's a conversation happening, from Elvgren back to the old masters, and onward into our own interpretations. Art, at its best, is an ongoing, joyful dialogue.