Applique Quilt c. 1936

Ruth Barnes, sometime between 1855 and 1995, made this watercolor and graphite sketch for an Applique Quilt. The patterns and shapes give me such a buzz. It’s a process of collaging with color, form, and texture - like a painter composing a canvas. The color is so specific, that green with the black lines makes me think of those old-school chalkboards. I can almost feel the dust! And that bird in the corner - is it just me, or is it totally strutting its stuff? The red and teal really pop. It's like the artist is saying, "Hey, quilting can be punk rock too!" I love the way the patterns crash into each other like memories, telling stories without using any words. It’s all about feeling, about those little moments of surprise when things come together in unexpected ways. Like when you're rummaging through a thrift store and find that perfect jacket. This reminds me of the work of Ree Morton, another great artist who wasn’t afraid to mix things up and make something totally her own. It all just goes to show that art is one big conversation, echoing through time.