Inspiration

This is my grandmother. I just re-discovered these pictures, compiled onto a cd by a thoughtful uncle a few years back and nealy lost due to disc deterioration. There are pictures of all the family members, uncles, aunts, cousins, great aunts and uncles and grandparents - it is really wonderful. But my favorite by far, and the reason I am so glad that I managed to salvage the images before they were gone for good, are the pictures of my mother's mother.


Gwen, I called her Nini, was a farm girl from Wisconsin who grew up to be an artist, a mother, and a real lady. She was fashionable in her own special way - often ahead of her time. She was a painter and a silversmith - her jewelry designs are bold and modern and would probably be sought after if she had ever sold any. As it is, the women in her family treasure her pieces. I receieved one for my graduation gift from my mother and it is one of the most cherished items I own.


Nini died right before I graduated from high school. Since then, there have been so many times I wished she could know what I am doing. I think that she would appreciate the work I am doing, and be proud of her influence on my artistic life. Looking at these pictures, especially the later ones, I wish that I could have known her as a person, instead of only as my grandmother. I wish I could know her thoughts on subjects with which I am now grappling - I feel that we would have had a similar outlook, except that she would have the wisdom and experience of many years beyond me.