5.04.2011

A sight for sore eyes . . . and a sight that made my eyes sore. But that's forgotten now, of course --

  
Sure, I've used this illustration before,
but I've decided it is probably one of the all-purpose type:




For today's purposes, it will be a picture of me when I first laid eyes on Hannah's room (which was supposed to have been packed prior to our arrival -- only someone who didn't raise Hannah would have believed such a preposterous promise, so I should have been prepared)




Hannah's exceptionally large and exceptionally messy un-packed room




I got the fun of de-constructing the collages on the closet doors



Luckily she had already given away all her housewares -- except for her brand new set of mint condition pyrex bowls (score!) -- so what we were looking at was only the necessities that would have to be packed and transported home.

We should have known we were in trouble when, coming through the halls, we encountered several girls who asked, "Are you Hannah's parents?  You have to move Hannah??!!", accompanied by giggles and eye rolling.  (But the job was a small price to pay to have our littlest graduate back in her basement bedroom where she belongs.)

The graduation was lovely -- a perfectly beautiful day on the quirky little campus where the southern Virginia spring was greener than green and everything was just the way you'd order it.



The beautiful main hall at Southern Virginia University



The happy grad and her delighted dad



But the best part of the trip was, of course, Hannah's Sr. Show -- as her mother (and as an art lover, of course) I couldn't get enough of her delightful work . . . *sigh. 


 




Hannah's card from her show


Good day to be Hannah's mother.


Her show consisted of 5 paintings, 4 stitched works and a moleskine sketchbook -- 






 The piece on the bottom right is framed in a hoop, and Hannah added paint to the background after it was stitched.  The effect was very unique and so charming! All of her stitched pieces are on re-purposed pieces of old needlework, giving them an added resonance while bringing the domestic needlework tradition to a completely contemporary context




 Hannah's mixed-media paintings are very textural -- "cloud 'fro" (Hannah's working title), for instance,  incorporates doilies under the layers of paint, providing wonderful depth and visual interest . . . which you could see if my photos did this work ANY justice at all . . .  so sorry!












This stitched piece is simply amazing -- a showstopper done on a piece of old quilt -- Hannah stitches free-hand, making it all up as she goes and the result feels so organic and un-forced -- her work and my work share a common thread, and yet are exact opposites in some ways, a fact I find to be delightful and fascinating



9 pieces of  Hannah wonderfulness, accompanied by a wondrous sketchbook that provided a more in-depth glimpse into her creative genius.



 A favorite page from Hannah's sketchbook



Hannah has graciously agreed to let me publish her remarkable sketchbook, which I will do in full tomorrow.  You'll definitely want to stop by and get acquainted.


Congratulations, Hannah! 




Welcome home to the studio.  
We've been waiting for you.



  

6 comments:

Judy said...

I especially love the painting of the girl with the owl on her head. Wisdom? Awesome talent.

Michele said...

The apple didn't fall far from that tree now did it? You must be so proud. Congratulations to your talented girl. The world is her oyster.

luanne said...

Love Hannah's work! You must be bursting with pride! Can't wait to see the sketchbook tomorrow...and what your future collaborations bring.

Leenie said...

Kinda makes all those diapers, the sleep deprivation and trips to the doctor, dentist and grammar school worth it--doesn't it. Hooray for your grad, a most talented young lady. Hope the long ride in the pickup truck wasn't too bad.

susan m hinckley said...

Luckily (or unluckily) I didn't have/get to endure the pickup on the way home because Hannah hadn't slept in about 2 weeks and so I ended up driving her car. I couldn't help thinking about how she would have gotten home if mom hadn't come to the rescue, or of how many times she's made that trip back and forth alone and probably hadn't slept then, either (she's talented, but sleeping is not her best talent).

Allie said...

Like mother like daughter - the talent in your family astounds me! Congratulations Hannah, you are a wonderful artist, I love your style and the Look Closer is my favorite!

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