Settee or Chaise Lounge c. 1939

Lillian Causey made this watercolor drawing of a settee or chaise lounge on paper. I imagine Lillian carefully laying down each layer of red, trying to capture the smooth texture of the leather. I can almost see her tilting her head, really thinking about the way light hits that curve of the back. There's something so earnest in the way it's rendered – the crisp lines of the wooden frame against the plumpness of the upholstered seat. I bet she really liked this particular piece of furniture, or maybe she was just trying to nail the brief, playing with shadow and form in a way that feels both precise and intimate. It reminds me of Fairfield Porter, his quiet way of looking at everyday scenes. It is like she is in conversation with him across time. Thinking about how to translate the world onto a flat surface. It is all about seeing.