Reflection
By Jane Hartfield
My father died last March. He
lived over 98 years and influenced me in so many ways. He was a man of great
honor and especially integrity. I cannot possibly describe him in a short
paragraph. However, I can reflect on his life and how he was ever a part of my
life.
He lived in Winnsboro, LA, all
of his life and on Lone Cedar Road about 50 years. There is a huge oak tree at
the end of his driveway. It was in front of his parents’ house originally. I
must have taken 100 pictures of that tree. I just love it. During the past year
as my father’s health was declining, I was going to Winnsboro more frequently.
On one of those trips, I was at the house by myself and had noticed an unusual
cloud formation. It had been raining. When I went outside to take a picture of
the clouds, there was a puddle on the driveway that reflected the oak tree in
the twilight. I was able to take several photos with my phone. I have never
seen that before or since. That is the picture on the front of the quilt.
I had to ask for help printing
the photographs on fabric. I have tried it before without success. However,
Teresa is very good at it and agreed to help me. She gave me the confidence to
do it myself, but I am not sure my printer is up to it. I decided to print the
picture of Daddy Ed and the picture of the whole tree as well as the
reflection.
Of course, the next step was
finding the right fabric. I thought that Stonehenge was good, but I wanted to make it more of my own. So,
using the thermofax screen Andrea had made for me of Daddy Ed’s handwriting, I
printed all over the background. I fused the reflection picture to the front
and decided it needed more. So, I added the picture of Daddy Ed which had been
taken last December. It may have been the last time he played Dominoes. Then I
had to quilt it. It is probably hard to see on the front, but I thread sketched
the tree avoiding stitching through the pictures. It is much easier to see on
the back. Then I fused the picture of the tree to the back and scribble
stitched around the edges.
Jane, what a touching and heart-felt quilt in memory of your father! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI love that you used your father's writing. A very special memory of your father and the tree.
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed an heirloom. What a tribute on so many levels! You continually teach me. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLove the background with your father's handwriting screen printed on it!! The photos and hand stitched tree are beautiful as is the wonderful reflection quilt in honor of your father.
ReplyDeleteThank you, but it is not hand stitched. Just wanted to clarify that.
DeleteExcuse my carelessness Jane. I knew it was machine stitched but somehow typed hand -oops! Guess I was typing faster than my brain can think.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to honor your father. Wonderful reflection of the tree, photograph, and the handwriting. The quilted tree is just perfect!
ReplyDeleteLove this quilt! Precious memory.
ReplyDeleteJane, this piece is something that he would have loved seeing. what a warm and loving way of sharing your dad, through your art. it is wonderful.
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