Plant a tree, write a speech or perhaps a eulogy, a poem, name a child after someone, build something like a garden or something incredible - the Taj Mahal?
It's a pretty fine human endeavour - to honour another human for just being who they are (or were). That's what I was thinking about when I set out to create these artworks which I've named 'The Sunnyside Collection'. And, to be more specific, I can tell you I was thinking of one person in particular, my grandmother, Patricia Margaret Mulvihill who was known simply as 'Peg' by her friends and family.
Why? I'll tell you why. My grandmother was a gentlewoman to use a term not often used in reference to a woman. A gentlewoman is defined as a woman of high social standing, or a woman who is cultured, well mannered and educated. I suppose she was, more or less all of those things but there was something hard to describe in her demeanour and also in the way she communicated with others - I will try to explain although I'm not confident my words will be absolutely on the mark.
I realise now, it's been 9 years since her passing, that her impact on me was both profound and lasting. She certainly did many good things for others in her world from cutting hair, caring for animals, fixing feet as a Chiropodist, visiting the sick and being present with her family but for me, more than anything, it was her essence - her sweet, kind heart, her light, easy laughter, her gentle but hard working hands, the way she really listened without agenda or interruption, her care, her kindness, her unshakeable faith. She had some seriously awful things happen in her life from losing her spouse early, her only child having polio and various and many other challenges and losses. She was ever unassuming, humble yet elegant always. She lived to be 97 years old.
Grandma at Sunnyside Farm, Junee, NSW around 1938
So this is where I was coming from as I designed each artwork, motif and pattern. I was driven by her memory, her impact, her own heritage and upbringing of which I knew tidbits from her stories and photos.
It's sentimental, for sure, but that's a part of who I am and she, my grandma, loved and appreciated me for all that and more.
I was blessed to have her in my life and I live my life hoping I could have even a quarter of the impact that her care and kindness had on me.
Pegs Roses - gran was an amazing gardener and loved to grow flowers of all kinds
Her maiden name was Duck. She comes from a little country town called Junee. The Duck family are still farming in this town and region.
I had a great time designing this Damask pattern incorporating ducks and some of the crops grown by the duck family over the years. Grandma loved classic patterns such as these. I know she would've loved this and it would've made her laugh to see the ducks in there too.
The Sunnyside Collection is a series of artworks designed as repeating patterns designed for fabric and wallpaper. All designs and variations are available on Spoonflower at the following link:
Kommentare