kathe kollwitz

I love Kathe Kollwitz. This photo is of a print hanging in my parent's house. I love it for so many reasons, not least because she looks so happy; in contrast to the more .... hmmm ... severe? intense? self-portraits she has done. I love those works too though. I fell in love with her woodcuts as a teenager. Sigh ... she's just so great.

rediscovery

At the moment, Vincent, Izmae and I are staying at my parent's place in Wellington while David is away for work. One of the things I really enjoy about staying at their place is rediscovering things I made an eternity ago, like this pottery head. I love him. There's something of the ancient body discovered in an English bog about him.

embroidery experiment

 I have embarked upon an embroidery project. I've never embroidered before, but one evening recently found myself armed with hoop, an old cloth nappy, needle and thread. David was reading on the couch in front of me so he was first. I considered ironing it, but I think the wrinkles and creases give his face a similar character as in life. I might iron around his face. We'll see.

And then it was Vincent's turn. He woke up before I managed to finish his ear. But sneakily, today, while he was crying on my lap, I picked up a pencil and paper and drew his ear - it was even on the same angle! So, terrible mother that I am, I put my son's grief to artistic purpose and may actually get to finish his portrait.