hubs glorious garden
Coming out from under a month of making hard decisions, plus two new works about heavy-duty subjects; the clouds feel as if they are parting a bit. There is always a sense of OMG, what’s next when work is finished. It is not for lack of inspiration! I have several hand-work projects in utero. I have cloth downstairs awaiting paint. Yet I think I will cleanse my palette a bit with another piece of the Wisdom Gatherers series. I have finished three with three more to go. Two are of twin sisters and I would like to design them in tandem. Even though they are fraternal twins, there is something about having someone shadow throughout one’s life that encourages me to design them simultaneously.
This month I also had the unpleasant task of taking my husband’s car keys and selling his car. His Parkinson’s is advanced enough that I felt he should no longer be driving. Anyone who has had to stop an elder parent from driving, knows this option is no picnic. There is so much to consider, not the least of which is the driver’s independence, dignity and pride of over 60 years behind the wheel. Also factor in that he drove the crash truck on a major interstate for the last decade of his firefighter career. The man knows impaired driving all too well, but clearly did not see it in himself. We sold his car to his caregiver who badly needed one having lost hers in a wildfire a couple years ago. So it felt like a total win-win.
After researching drought tolerant landscapes in books, online and in field trips to nurseries, I interviewed two landscaping companies and hired one to re-landscape our spacious backyard to a drought tolerant oasis. That is currently underway and I anticipate fabulous color and texture coming our way. Hubs still works his front garden which is respondent in flowering pollinators this summer. He has nurtured all the gallardia from dead-heading last year’s abundance. He is now collecting seeds for next year’s crop.
I have also been asked to include 2 pieces from the Defining Moments series into two exhibits this fall. DM 25: Homage is returning to Lubbock, TX for the LHUCA 25th anniversary show. And DM 21: Loss will be on display at Petaluma Art Center’s Dias de las Muertas autumn exhibit. In addition to the usual altars and luminarias, select member artists have been invited to include work about grief and loss. This piece addresses “Those whose absence from my life have defined my journey. Seven died, two left due to a difference of opinion and one has dementia”. This piece was made before Marion died.
I hope you are enjoying these dog days of summer!
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I will look forward to seeing your backyard.
Thank you for your kind words, Dianne!
Bless you as you make those hard decisions.
I absolutely love your Wisdom Gatherers. What a wonderful way to showcase someone’s life. I’ve made four quilts about my Mom’s death. We were so close. This might be my next one. She had five children, pregnant with number six when my Dad died by suicide. An amazing woman, this would be a great way to show some of the many photos I have!
Your Defining Moments also resonate with me. I love how you incorporate so many different items.
Thanks for sharing your life. Good luck with the backyard and your sweetie.
Thank you so much Anne for your comments about my work. How wonderful that you also have made work about your mother’s death. It sounds as if she was an extraordinary woman. I encourage you to carry on with work about her life. A full circle process.