Quilt c. 1939

This drawing of a quilt was made by Ralph Lewis, we don't know when, and with what, but it's beautiful! I love the way the colored pencils create these little tonal shifts that build up the blocks of the quilt. You can really feel the repetitive, almost meditative process of making it. What strikes me most is the material quality he coaxes from the humble colored pencil. Look closely, and you can see these tiny striations, building up the texture, mimicking the woven quality of actual fabric. Notice how the colors are layered, creating this shimmering effect like light on silk. The black border is solid and grounding, setting off the pastel interiors. It’s funny, but that black really brings all the others to life. This piece makes me think of the drawings of Agnes Martin, another artist drawn to the grid format and who understood the spiritual qualities of simple acts. It shows how a simple form, when lovingly rendered, can speak volumes.