"Grandmother's Song"
"Grandmother's Song" is in honor
of my grandmother, Mabel Robinson Cather. I was given some original
shutters from my grandmother's home from a cousin. I felt a power
in them and knew the next piece would celebrate my grandmother's
spirit. I began doing research from old scrapbooks, letters and
photo albums. I came to know my grandmother as a young woman whose
life began as a life of privilege, but changed dramatically after
marriage. My handsome grandfather was a lawyer who decided to
become a "gentleman farmer" after marrying into the
Robinson's and proceeded to buy many large farms and orchards.
He then proceeded to gamble all her assets away, as he was an
addicted gambler.
(Click image to enlarge)
I lived my entire childhood next to my grandmother. Her house was a beautiful Queen Anne's home, with turrets, slate roofs and a large southern wrap-around porch with pillars. This house appears in the background of the painting. I found an old photo of my grandmother and my great Aunt Ida in their big skirts, building a snowman. They were both smiling and it struck me that here was my grandmother as a young woman, having fun. An unrehearsed photo. A simple captured moment. The piece includes objects that were my grandmother's.... hats, gloves, pins, cards, letters. The grapevine idea came from the grape arbor I remembered from my great grandmother's home, and I loved the idea of combining/juxtaposing the grape vine with the metal drippings. The photos are of grandmother from child to adult.
Now I feel I understand her life and admire and love her all the more. I had no idea of all the indignities she suffered at the hands of her husband, Wilbur Cather. This also explained to me why grandmother was not a happy person, but I remember her as a kind and gentle woman. Mabel Robinson Cather was a modest Quaker, who worked hard, endured much and lived a long life.
(click to enlarge)
