My Mum and My Art

Textiles in Focus went well, my workshop was a rewarding one for me and the ladies who took part seemed to have also had a good time. The Picture Perfect females were excellent and each one was unique.
I did not spend as much as I would have normally and that was good, although I did stock up on a few painting materials. It is always great to be with like minded individuals and I left really inspired. Sharon Osbourne's demonstration was, as always a great inpiration and the exhibitions were exceptional.

Since then I have been preparing for my next quilt which I am hoping to enter into the Festival of Quilts 2011. My inspiration for this piece is my mother. She is now 72 years old and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's when she was in her late 50's. I am hoping to create something which will be symbolic of her decline and be for me an expression of my sadness and loss. She is not who I remember and it is so sad to be so far away but, on the other hand, it makes dealing with what I can only express as my loss a bit easier.
In doing my research for this body of work I have discovered a painter who was an Alzheimer's sufferer, his work shows the gradual changes in his work as the illness progressed.
http://www.williamutermohlen.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44:william-utermohlen-official-site&catid=1:latest-news
It has given me a different perspective and insight into her emotional turmoil at the beginning stages of her decline.

As you can imagine it is and will be an emotional roller coaster for me but it has to be done as I have been putting it off for too long now. I am using her image but it will probably be as unrecognisable as she is to me now. I am also going to use my interest in body painting and masks to help me express my ideas. I am hoping to share my initial design development in my next blog (tears included).