Thank you Mom. Hello World.
Hello friends! Welcome to my new website, and my first blog entry. I have been undecided about where to begin with blogging. My mother has been in my thoughts a great deal lately, and a few weeks ago I thought about starting my blog with her. Since Mother’s Day is tomorrow, it is time to stop pushing it off and to start writing so I do not lose the opportunity to make it timely.
My mother passed away in October 2008 from cancer. The above image of her was taken in July 2008 during her last visit with us on the west coast. I love this image. It makes me feel like we are hanging out and chatting in the kitchen. Talking and spending time in the kitchen are two things my mom enjoyed.
Today I want to focus on one thing about my mother that greatly influences my life and my art. She was a beautiful craftsman. The skills she mastered during her life include knitting, crocheting, quilting, smocking, embroidery, sewing, and pattern-making. She always used the best materials available, and paid close attention to the details. During her lifetime she shared many of these arts with me. They are skills that have cycled in and out of various phases and stages of my life and have provided me with sustaining creative outlets. Today I want to thank her for sharing them with me, but most of all I want to express gratitude for teaching me to strive for perfection in my creative endeavors. It enhances the journey and makes all the difference in the end result.
Two years ago for an Experimental Photography class I was taking at Photographic Center Northwest we had an assignment for which I used my mother’s beautiful handiwork as a subject. Using a flatbed scanner, I captured images of a baby dress that she had smocked for my younger daughter.
For the class, I played with multiplying and combining the images in various ways. I had suggestions from classmates to make it kaleidoscopic, but moved on to the next assignment without getting around to it. For Mother’s Day, I decided to give it a try, as a tribute to my mom that combines her art in smocking with my art in photography. The results are shown below.
Thank you Mom. Welcome world.
Anna, hello! I know it’s been an extremely long time; middle school I think, but you crossed my mind today and I decided to see if I could find you. YOUR work is amazing! You were always so creative. I remember you being an artist and inspiring me to develop that within me. Your mom, a loving, kind woman who always gave the warm and fizzies with yummy deserts in school. I’m so sorry for your loss…I know she is with you in spirit. Anna I want to thank you for being true to your God given talent and thank you for being the first to inspire my desire to develop the creative me! Many blessings to you and your family. Sincerely, LaRonce Marshall
Okay, more digital know-how I don’t know how. Beautiful Anna!
The blog and site too. I love its clean simplicity of design.
You are such an expressive writer. I think that Swedish heritage runs deep – the clean lines and elegance of the baby doll dress and your Dress Kaleidoscope are grounded by an exceptional attention to detail. Every stitch is carefully placed and perfect…in the dress and in the kaleidoscope. So glad you shared.
SO GREAT to see the suggestion come to fruition. A beautiful synthesis of your mother’s craft and her daughter’s art. This site in style and content becomes you.