Chintz c. 1936

Suzanne Roy made this drawing called Chintz, with what looks like watercolour and pencil. I'm really drawn to the repetition of the swirling floral and leaf motifs. What a world! You can see the artist has carefully planned this out – each element echoes and responds to the others, like a garden in full bloom. I can imagine Suzanne Roy getting into the flow of the pattern, almost meditative, losing herself in the rhythmic act of painting those organic shapes, finding the harmony between the red, green and brown hues. She is definitely in conversation with William Morris! Look how the colours bleed softly at the edges, creating a gentle, organic feel. Notice how the overlapping and intertwining forms add depth and movement. The negative space is just as important, giving the eye a place to rest amidst all that beautiful detail. There's something really satisfying about the way it all comes together. Painting is an ongoing dialogue across time, where artists inspire each other and reinterpret ideas in their own way. Suzanne Roy has certainly put her own unique stamp on this work.