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Stitcher's comments:
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Several years ago when I was studying the works of Frank Lloyd Wright I sketched
RAIN as an example for a class I was teaching in Canada. I later rewrote the course and then taught it at the ANG National Seminar in Lexington. The course was a huge success. I so liked the sketch that I pulled threads to stitch it but it sat there for awhile. Eventually I picked up the piece and began to stitch it.
My thoughts behind the design evolved with the horrible drought Colorado was experiencing. I live in a rural community surrounded by foothills and mountains. We all prayed for rain but it didn't come. Eventually dark ominous clouds began to build around us but still the rain didn't come. The lightening did and started awful fires. When the rain finally did arrive it was in the form of hail that took out crops, livestock and buildings. The hail was so thick that flooding resulted. Then the rains hit with a vengeance and the destruction was heartbreaking. Still, we were glad to see the rain. The pond on the back of our property went from a mud hole to a pond again. The grass that had completely disappeared reappeared. Flowers began to pop out and the hills were covered in the orange of miniature sun flowers. The rains became the gentle storms we remembered and rainbows came out.
All this ended up in RAIN as I began to stitch it. Still, I had no plans for the piece until one day when Lynn Payette came to visit and teach a class out of my studio. She took a look at the piece and said "where are you exhibiting this?" I told her that I don't exhibit and I certainly don't do competition. She said "I think you should with this piece." She rather insisted upon it actually. So I eventually dropped
RAIN by my favorite framer, paying for her to take a cruise to the south seas I'm sure, and entered it in the Reno exhibit. Imagine my surprise when Lynn called me to tell me about the ribbon!
I have been asked by several students if I would teach this piece. Currently I have no plans to do so nor do I intend to retail the design. For now
RAIN with its beautiful stitched ribbon hangs in my studio in Canon City.
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