Staal handbedrukte trijp met dessin "Arenden" c. 1920 - 1925

This "Arenden" design was hand-printed by Chris Lebeau, but when, we don't know. The patterns undulate like they're breathing. I like to think about how the physical act of applying the ink must have felt. Was it soothing, a kind of rhythmic meditation? See how the eagles morph with these ornate, almost art deco bands - the process is all about repetition and variation, kind of like life, right? There's this gorgeous tension between the matte surface of the fabric and the sharp lines of the print. The dark green ink, almost black, gives it a somber mood. Look at how each little feather is carefully rendered, but then repeated endlessly, creating a field of pattern. It reminds me a little bit of William Morris, that interest in craft and the handmade, but Lebeau brings his own touch. Ultimately, it’s not about perfection, but the human touch. And that's what makes it sing.