Dress 1935 - 1942

Julie C. Brush, who lived from 1855 to 1995, made this watercolor, “Dress”, and I can just imagine her at work, building up the colors and details. It's a delicate dance of floral patterns in pink, blue, and gold, all interlaced with leafy greens. I wonder if Brush was thinking about fashion, history, or maybe just the sheer joy of rendering textures and forms. The lace trim around the cuffs looks so soft, almost tangible! The way she's handled the watercolor gives it a certain lightness, a breezy feel that makes me think of summer gardens and fancy dress parties. It reminds me a little of some botanical illustrations, but with a touch of whimsy. Painting, like fashion, is this constant conversation across time. Artists look at the past, remix it, and add their own spin. It’s like we're all just riffing off each other, trying to make sense of the world one brushstroke at a time.