| Silk Purses |
San Francisco 2001: On my way home one day, a flutter of colors
caught my eye. The painted silk scarves tied to a frame lead to
Ann Kelley in an open garage painting her latest oeurve. A few moments
later, her man, Bob, walked in with a brownie. The next day, Ann
agreed to take me on.
It would become the collaboration of dreams. |
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A sample of Ann's botanically-correct painting
on silk velvet. The strap length was adjustable, for hanging
off the shoulder or tied around the waist.
Three years later, this bag appeared the accessories exhibit
at the Musée du Textile in Mulhouse, France.
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We cut up many of her paintings
in the spirit of Japanese patchwork. |
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| Excited by the possiblities of transforming old
fabrics, scoured the local Goodwill for material. The red striped
fabric is an old costume shop scrap. The yellow velvet came
from an old gown of Ann's. |
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On our first day of sales in the downtown
of San Francisco, this woman permitted us to take her photo. She
bought this bag with her daughter in mind.
The butterfly bag was one of our favorites.
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