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Here's Rhoda in the long jacket made from material she bought on a trip to St. John, US Virgin Islands. Notice Sadie's professional tailoring, right down to the lining and shoulder pads. If Rhoda looks weary in this photo, it's because it was taken late in the evening, up in "Sadie's room" in my parents' house in Wilmington, Delaware. Rhoda had brought some her most treasured Sadie works to be photographed for this collection. While I set up my shots and snapped pictures, I found myself delivering a little monologue about how Sadie had taught me everything I needed to know about being an artist, through direct instruction and by example. I had watched her numerous times conceive a project, plan it out, prepare the space and materials needed, and execute it step by step, over hours, days, weeks or months - whatever it took to reach completion. I did not have a strong interest in sewing and tailoring, but I loved to watch my grandmother work. Raw materials were transformed before my eyes into objects of beauty and purpose. She taught me how to start things and finish things, among other things. She did not hew rigidly to rules, but was always faithful to her own process and the high standards she set for herself. Zelda |
