Marble Stone & Silk

Marble stone tops the list of inspiring elements for my silk work. Ever since I can remember I've been attracted to Florentine end papers in books, the process of floating colours on Irish seaweed, I still have in my treasures a pale taupe marbled business card from a company I visited years ago. One of my favorite things to do in any city is to search out the marble showrooms to see their offerings.

Once I took a day tour to Cararra, Italia, up this treacherous hillside
with large trucks careening down in narrow lanes, any extra space
beside the road featuring marble shops displaying gorgeous, polished decorations.
The white mountain stands with an incandescent resonance of virility
even with its pale pearl glow from the rising dust.

A metamorphic rock, marble develops from the intense heat and pressure of the  recrystallization of limestone primarily and the colour comes from different minerals flowing through this when it hardens into stone. The word 'marble' comes from Ancient Greek 'marmaros' shining stone and from the verb 'marmairo' to flash or gleam.

My versatile Italian designs mix the best of both realms,
the robust patterns of refinement and strength of marble slabs
with the fluidity, grace and textural quality of silk.

One of the highlights of my career, June 19th summering in Florence, the day before I'd enjoyed a long, glorious adventure on the Cinque Terre with some friends returning around midnight, and now an epic moment in my life. Annie and I walked up the hallway together and I knew this would be one of those days you remember forever. The research and development director of Salvatore Ferragamo stood before us inviting us into a room filled with window light. We talked together as I showed her my marble stone silk designs, Annie translating when I stood gesturing in iconic Italian fashion.
Fascinated and intrigued she asked how I had accomplished this, especially Venetian Onyx above and Florence Stone below, she considered them some of the most beautiful silks she'd ever seen. I waxed poetic about my inspiration, not entirely revealing my methods, (kind of like Fortuny not sharing every detail) and she responded with enthusiasm with her own love of marble coming forth.
I adore this lady. Now and always.