I visited the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston this weekend and was delighted to see a work by an artist who I find inspiring. The exhibit "Central to Their Lives: Southern Women Artists in the Johnson Collection" was featured. The Johnson Collection is a gallery in Spartanburg SC, not far from where I grew up in Greenville.
Years ago, like more than 20, I went to New Orleans on a work trip (long after I had left Greenville for college and points beyond...my job was in Manhattan). I visited The Quarter Stitch, which at the time had more needlepoint than knitting. Looks like Katrina could not keep this shop down. At any rate, this visit was years before Katrina. I was doing more needlepoint than I am now.
I spied several needlepoint kits that I thought were fabulous, they are reproductions of work by Clementine Hunter. Hunter was born in Louisiana, the daughter of former slaves, in 1887. Now I have loved "primitive" art for a long time...starting with Grandma Moses who is geographically close to my family's Vermont roots. Mom had a print of hers when I was a child; I think that started it. I also love Maude Lewis.
I purchases two needlepoint kits, now mind you, this was back in the late 1980's. One is finished.
I can't remember the name of the painting, but I recall that the little angels are white and the little devils are in red! (There's a bit of St. Brigid's cross hanging in front).
Here is the one not yet done...make not mistake, I like to stitch, I just have too many projects. I just checked the date on the first... 1999. I'd better get to work on this next one!!
There is a lot of Clementine Hunter swag around these days, I've seen some lovely pottery. I spotted some at the Mint Museum in Charlotte last fall and here at the Gibbes. I myself couldn't resist the absurdly priced tea towel...made in India...
My bookshelf also contains a book about her which I need to read...
Years ago, like more than 20, I went to New Orleans on a work trip (long after I had left Greenville for college and points beyond...my job was in Manhattan). I visited The Quarter Stitch, which at the time had more needlepoint than knitting. Looks like Katrina could not keep this shop down. At any rate, this visit was years before Katrina. I was doing more needlepoint than I am now.
I spied several needlepoint kits that I thought were fabulous, they are reproductions of work by Clementine Hunter. Hunter was born in Louisiana, the daughter of former slaves, in 1887. Now I have loved "primitive" art for a long time...starting with Grandma Moses who is geographically close to my family's Vermont roots. Mom had a print of hers when I was a child; I think that started it. I also love Maude Lewis.
I purchases two needlepoint kits, now mind you, this was back in the late 1980's. One is finished.
I can't remember the name of the painting, but I recall that the little angels are white and the little devils are in red! (There's a bit of St. Brigid's cross hanging in front).
Here is the one not yet done...make not mistake, I like to stitch, I just have too many projects. I just checked the date on the first... 1999. I'd better get to work on this next one!!
There is a lot of Clementine Hunter swag around these days, I've seen some lovely pottery. I spotted some at the Mint Museum in Charlotte last fall and here at the Gibbes. I myself couldn't resist the absurdly priced tea towel...made in India...
My bookshelf also contains a book about her which I need to read...