I had a revelation doing this segment. I write and do photography. I always knew my dad was an inspiration because he did both. During periods of his life he had writing side projects going alongside his full-time job as an advertising writer for a movie studio. But I never had included my mom in the list. She was a maker. She knit sweaters, beaded bags (some beautiful), did mosaics. The mosaics may have been from patterns, but she clipped the little glass squares and glued it all down. Today we'd think they were very mid-century modern (they were), but at the time they were pretty cool. I have to sit with what it means to include her in the list. The rest of the list mostly includes people I have actually studied with, people who have been direct teachers, as well as people I have traveled and photographed with. They are the people who are like me, people who started as amateurs but are also taking it to another level. They add another layer of inspiration. And Georgia O'Keeffe for teaching us how to see.
Thank you for sharing this, Ellen. It makes me happy to think of you having revelations and insights about your creative life as a result of these invitations.
Your mom sounds quite creative! The range of possibility for making things is vast. Beaded bags! The patience and attention required for that is mind-blowing.
Great to hear about your creative ancestors! Thank you.
I had a revelation doing this segment. I write and do photography. I always knew my dad was an inspiration because he did both. During periods of his life he had writing side projects going alongside his full-time job as an advertising writer for a movie studio. But I never had included my mom in the list. She was a maker. She knit sweaters, beaded bags (some beautiful), did mosaics. The mosaics may have been from patterns, but she clipped the little glass squares and glued it all down. Today we'd think they were very mid-century modern (they were), but at the time they were pretty cool. I have to sit with what it means to include her in the list. The rest of the list mostly includes people I have actually studied with, people who have been direct teachers, as well as people I have traveled and photographed with. They are the people who are like me, people who started as amateurs but are also taking it to another level. They add another layer of inspiration. And Georgia O'Keeffe for teaching us how to see.
Thank you for sharing this, Ellen. It makes me happy to think of you having revelations and insights about your creative life as a result of these invitations.
Your mom sounds quite creative! The range of possibility for making things is vast. Beaded bags! The patience and attention required for that is mind-blowing.
Great to hear about your creative ancestors! Thank you.