"You see, when weaving a blanket, an Indian woman leaves a flaw in the weaving of that blanket to let the soul out.” ...Martha Graham

As Fall is approaching, I find myself thinking of my paternal grandmother. A name like Pearl would conjurer one to think pale ivory, or a soft white….but this spiritual vision was in a vibrant Marigold. Her aura was one of mystique, caught somewhere between a sunshine filled energy to a deep wisdom, almost regal-like intellect. She held a firm position within the family. Even a child could see she was more boss than servant.

This woman believed children should be doing chores, helping in the kitchen or stay out of the way. Her powerful knowledge to farming was displayed heavily through her cooking. Never did I visit and not see pots simmering on the old farm stove. When she was not farming or cooking, she was steadily pumping her old loom, turning out the “rag” rugs. The colorful weaving added a hint of sunlight to the old house. She would show me relentless, time and again, how the warp yarns were strung and the reed weaved the strips of cloth back through. She then would pull the beater down to pack it tightly. I found it mesmerizing.

I truly believe my love for "creating" began while watching her foot gently tap the treadle pump and her hands slip the balls of torn rags through the yarns. The end product was always a beautiful new rug, made of mingled colors to adorn one of the families' floors. This time of year she would be working hard at the loom, crops almost finished, more time at hand and cooler temperatures pushed her inside more.

She did have a love of flowers, the chrysanthemum was a favorite. I often wondered if she loved mums more because during the cooler days of fall she had time to actually enjoy the bloom itself.

I worked this week on a piece of chiffon. Rather than stretching the silk, I hung it and allowed the paint to drench it more deeply. The colors selected tended to be in the fall scenery, or to me, a memory of Grandma pumping the treadle and producing those colorful rugs or a more serene moment by her mum bushes.


Garden Mums..... 14" x 66"