Zoar Coverlet c. 1939

Ralph Russell made this coverlet design, using pencil and watercolor. Look at how he maps out each shift and repeat in the geometric structure. You can see the planning and precision required to create this textile, from the body of the blanket to the fringe. I imagine the artist, Russell, hunched over a desk, carefully rendering each square with the flick of a brush, trying to capture the exact colours and textures of the original. Was he thinking about the history of weaving and pattern making? Or was he simply trying to document this object as faithfully as possible? Maybe he was dreaming of the warmth and comfort this coverlet would provide? There’s something beautiful and humble about this kind of work. It reminds me that art isn't always about grand statements; sometimes it's about quietly observing, recording, and honouring the objects that surround us. It speaks to a tradition of craft and skill that is both timeless and deeply personal.