Tie-back c. 1941

Here's a study of a tie-back by Helen Bronson, made with watercolour on paper. The symmetry of the piece really draws me in, and the way the colour subtly shifts and pools suggests a careful process, not just a quick sketch. I find myself looking at the outer edge, where these little berry-like shapes sit. The colour is more concentrated here, a darker mauve that gives the whole image a sense of depth. Bronson's touch is so delicate, almost hesitant, and yet she manages to create this intricate pattern, which is very pleasing. This piece reminds me a little of Hilma af Klint and her diagrammatic approach to painting, even though Bronson's work is much more representational. But in both, there's a sense of trying to capture something essential about form and structure, and it's this shared interest in geometry and pattern that resonates with me. Ultimately, art is about how we see, and how we keep the conversation going.