I met Susan and Roger some years ago, when they came to hear Jon give a talk at a gallery where I was also showing my work in Greenwich, NY. Roger bought one of my I Am Enough Potholders for his granddaughter and after that Susan and Roger would show up at our Open Houses. We kept in touch.
Roger was a photographer, a musician and a poet. Inspired by the words on one of my pillows he wrote a song and recorded it. I was honored.
Roger died in December. The last time I saw him, was when he and Susan came to the Bedlam Farm Open House in October. He said he’d love to collaborate with me again. I told him I hadn’t had much words come to me lately. He told me he could also work with images. But we didn’t get to talk about it again.
He and Susan had one of those beautiful marriages where they seemed like newlyweds even though they had been married over 30 years. You could see and feel their love in how they interacted with each other. It radiated from them. I could feel it still when Susan wrote to me asking if I would make a quilt and two pillows out of some of Roger’s clothes. That kind of love doesn’t die.
Susan sent me the box with Roger’s clothes in it in January. It’s been sitting in my studio, next to my desk since then. Yesterday I looked through Roger’s clothes. It was obvious to me that Roger’s clothes were a part of his creative life, just like I know mine are for me.
Susan said he loved to wear tie’s and the ones she sent me were his favorites. So, in a way, it seems to me that Roger and I are collaborating again. This time, instead of him making a song out of my words, I’m making a quilt out of his clothes.
I sorted through Roger’s ties, then saw his painters pants with the paint on them. I liked the idea of them together. So that’s where I began….
This was as far as I got yesterday, but today it came easier….
Here’s a video of Roger singing Come To The Sunshine, the song he wrote inspired by my words.
That is so beautiful – the idea, the process, the product. I love seeing it all as it evolved. I especially love the fiery orange border. Thank you for sharing!
This is so perfectly beautiful. This is what art is about.
One person gifting what they have to another. The quilt is
stunning and so is the song.
I really love this one, especially the central portion with the ties and painters pants – it reminds me of broken tile mosaic. It’ll be a wonderful keepsake.
Maria,
What a beautiful quilt you are making out of Roger’s clothes. I have some stuffed animals made from my mother’s shirts and they still bring back wonderful memories. My mothers friend made them after she died and that was 20 years ago. What a treasure this quilt will be. If Susan uses it it will be like getting a hug each time. Lovely…
That video was so beautiful it honest to god made me cry….what a lovely man he must have been.
Elle
Susan will love the quilt, and I love Roger’s song – so tender and lovely to hear. How wonderful that you’re collaborating with him again in this fashion
Beautiful all the way around. Tender story of endless love. I feel for Susan. The quilt is precious. The song so delightful. Thank you for sharing!
Sheree
Thank you, Maria and Thank you, Roger! That song straight-up melted my heart. The quilt is lovely so far. I love the warm orange border. And thanks, Maria for sharing the love story of Roger and Susan. You really brightened my day!
Brillant idea of Susan who asked you to make a quilt and 2 pillows out of her husband Roger’s some clothes, ties and painter paint you chose to make. I’m touched. Simply I just LOVE her brilliant thought. I never thought anything like that. Certainly Susan’s love for Roger doesn’t die. I put her creative idea in the back burner, might I ask you to make something out of my mama’s clothes when she departs the earth. She is very much alive at the age of 87. I’ll remember you/and your name to contact.
This quilt looks beautifully down to earth image. Great job Maria!!
Thank you much for sharing!! 🙂
I can feel the love and connection going into this creation, Maria. It gave me goosebumps to read your post and to listen to his song. How lucky to have shared the creative bond with Roger and to continue this bond back with his wife through your work. I love his song and I can imagine you perhaps humming this song while sewing….. how special to be able to share the happiness he brought you through creating this. Still have goosebumps!
Susan
Really lovely Maria, both your writing and Roger’s song. Thank you for sharing.