Hand Made Quilt c. 1938

Wilford H. Shurtliff made this quilt, sometime between 1855 and 1955, out of fabric. The star design, with its radiating diamonds in red and green, feels both homespun and dazzling. You can almost feel the texture of the fabric, the slight imperfections in the stitching, the way the colors might have faded over time. It's a kind of intimate knowledge, right? Look closely at the center of the star. The warm, earthy red pulls you in, like a comforting hearth. Then your eyes follow the pattern outwards, across the surface, as you pick up the variations in tone. It's like a dance of color, a rhythm of shapes, all held together by the maker’s hand. You know, my own approach to painting shares a similar kind of logic, where accidents are embraced. This quilt reminds me of the work of Gee's Bend quilters; the process is about improvisation, and finding beauty in the unexpected. Art isn't just about what you see, but also about how you feel.