In two weeks I will be leaving this beautiful, rambling old house and putting all my things in storage, and the builders will move into a tiny dull house not too far from here and make it bigger, make it lovelier, make it mine. I will rent a room until it is ready and then I will start a new life there.
While I was sorting things out in readiness for this new chapter, I found these embroideries from 1989 which I did for an exhibition (where? I can't remember anymore), shortly after I left college. They are called 'In Memory of Sally Smith Part I and Part II' and were inspired by the gravestone of a young woman I found in a tiny abandoned graveyard near to my then-home in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. I imagined Sally living in one of those tall, top-and-bottom houses, roaming the moors and then dying, perhaps of tuberculosis - the gravestone gave no clue.
Perhaps I am less romantic about life nearly twenty-five years later.
Certainly my artistic style has changed. But these embroideries, like
all the disparate people, places and parts of my life, make up the
person that I am, still am, am still to be.
25 comments:
I wish you well in your new life!
V x
Well Sue, what you write and what you show us of your beatiful embroideries do support each other.
To be an artist, as you are, takes your senses into many layers and gives you opportunities to join up inspirations that another person might not sense.
i wish you well in you new directions and look forward to being able to share our thoughts together.
xo
They are beautiful. What a great way of creating an image for the woman in the little grave.
Your change sounds exciting. Enjoy.
Thank you Vivienne :)
Love your insights Frances :) keep me posted on your plans. X
Liz, in a funny way it is exciting - at least a little bit. New things always are I guess.
The embroideries are beautiful.
Good luck in your new life...
Penny
x
Lovely embroideries ... I wonder who she was and whether she still has local family ...
Good luck in your new venture ...
Thanks Penny!
I often wondered that too. There were no other family graves - a little mystery. Thanks for your kind wishes.
I hope that things go very well for you in your new home.
Your embroideries are lovely.
What charming embroideries! Melancholic and warm... An emotional tribute for an unknown girl - this is really touching! I love all the details! The second figure reminds me of Modigliani...
Building a new home - this is a great step, that acquires courage and energy. Wish you good luck, Sue!Everything will be fine!:)
I often find myself wandering around graveyards (one of the hazards of being a bell-ringer) and it's strange how some grave stones touch a nerve or a sensitive place - I've been known to cry, often to wonder about the people commemorated - best wishes with your move.
I love the way you have designed the border of the last piece with those little stitches which gives it a sort of quilted effect. You are such a talented artist, I hope in your new home you will flourish and be happy.
Good luck with the changes and move. It sounds exciting. As for finding art-work I love doing this and seeing what I used to do and what has changed. Love that they were inspired by a grave stone and some-one's life once :)
Wish you well and happy times in your new home. They are lovely little embroideries
Thank you so much :)
Courage and energy... yes I certainly need these! Thank you dear Rossichka x
Graveyards are very atmospheric. Sometimes a bit overwhelming I agree.
You are very sweet Val :)
Thank you so much. It's really useful to look back on old work isn't it?
Thank you Gina, they seem very dated now but I guess that's inevitable!
How exciting, to buy a house and change it. Those in the rented sector will envy you your freedom to make these changes. I hope it exceeds your expectations and releases the creativity in you. You have such talent and I love to see your work, always unique and beautiful.
A new chapter ... good luck!
Your embroideries are delightful :)
Have just found your blog. I love these embroideries, is it me, but I don,t think they are dated at all. Love them. Hope all works out for you .sending you strength and. Energy.
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