Pardon the profanity but sometimes, it is the only way to express indignation when it comes to the Big Bad C....especially when it shows up time and again. I was going through the to do pile on my desk when I saw the subversive cross stitch kit for my art teacher and dear friend, Zizi. I bought it a year ago and knew I must.get.it.done. So I x-stitched away for the next 5 hours and reminisced about how we got to know each other during our Euro sojourn in the summer of 2007.
Zizi is an odd bird. I mean that in a good way and which is probably why we get along. She spent her first few days and nights redecorating her suite at Chateau de Pourtales (Strasbourg) until she could comfortably lay in bed knowing that the antique desk was where it needed to be, walls were scrubbed, and the covetable French Normandy armoire was situated in the room..nevermind that she had to haul it herself. I can go on and on extolling her beautiful qualities and our (mis)adventures but the very important lesson I learned from her was to look at everything with a fresh and creative twist. What is seemingly banal even to the unjaded eye is viewed with renewed interest. While others bought tchotchkes, she explored unbeaten paths and came back with hardware supplies, Dior paperdolls, or a shopping basket she found along the road in Basel to create art with. Never was there a dull moment during classes, museum walk throughs or early morning flea market jaunts. I came to appreciate Conceptual Art even more through her eyes.
I had become listless for not calling Zizi lately but then, how best to express things you want to say but can't find the words for? Well, I got a wonderful surprise from artist Laura Loving, last Friday. She read my New Year post where I featured her brilliant cheery artwork and sent me a fab mix of her note cards - A Honeymoon in Paris, Loving New York , and The Fabulous Flower Collection - as a sweet thank you! The cards were absolutely perfect for Zizi and here's why....
we watched the full moon from the Eiffel Tower...
we had a Laduree moment rowing in Versailles...
(let them eat macaroons!)
we spent Saturday mornings at the Strasbourg flower market...
Aren't the cards just perfect for celebrating each memory? Laura Loving's images weaves its way into your heart and life like that. She also accepts commissions in a variety of sizes and mediums and can be contacted here.
*photos from personal archives*
1 comment:
Beautiful cards.
The cross-stitch is my kind of sentiment.
I need one for my friend who is three years breast cancer survivor!
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