Quilt c. 1939

This pencil drawing of a quilt was made by Frank Gutting sometime during his lifetime. It has such delicate and subtle marks, so quiet and understated. I can imagine Gutting sitting with the original quilt, slowly mapping its intricate patterns in pencil, almost like an act of devotion. Quilts are so interesting to me—you could say they’re a close cousin to painting. Think about the patient labor, the layering of different materials, the building up of the surface. I bet Gutting thought about that too. You can see the floral patterns, the subtle changes in tone. It makes me wonder what kind of conversations Gutting was having with other artists. What painters might have informed his eye? Ultimately, I find Gutting’s drawing so moving because it shows how one artist can find inspiration in another medium, transforming something functional into something deeply contemplative.