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 Jutta in 1959 

In this photo my mother is 31 years old. I was six then… 


As a child, I am convinced that my mother is the most beautiful woman in the world.  Looking back, I was right. We were an outsider family of very little means in the fifties and sixties. And in very homogenous West German postwar society we stuck out on all accounts. But what a beautiful mama I had – I felt pride. We did not have money or things, but we had poetry, music and art in our home. Everything was handmade, clothes, furniture, lamps, toys, gifts. So different than anywhere else. Mama was the craftswoman and artist, Papa the engineer and builder. We lived in a different world. Till the very end Mama was highly original, unique, full of creative projects and ideas. She lives on in the many things her hands made, and touched…. She lives on in me… as my ancestor. I bow to her in great gratitude and admiration. Her birthday is today July 21 – and I am celebrating her!


One of Jutta’s many woven wall hangings 

 

Her necklaces with hand rolled and colorfully hand glazed ceramic beads (see in photo below) – I have three and wear them often. They feel soft, comforting. And people will comment on them often. The other day on the farmer’s market, when the young man at the mushroom stand asks about my necklace, I reply: “My mother made it, hand rolled beads… I like wearing it, the beads feel good, warm, reminding me of her.” He smiles sweetly and with an East European accent pensively remarks: “You can feel her fingertips touching you…” For a moment, time stands still, I smile back and nod; I am stunned that he understands. We are together in a reverie; he pauses, we linger... Does he remember his mother? His eyes dreamy… but there is a line of several customers waiting.   

  

Mama at age 78 – she would have turned 94 this year

 Throughout this blog you can find pictures of her various art, like her small enamel figures in entries of May 15 & March 10, 2022, and Dec 24, 2021.  


More here about Jutta: 

https://karinalandriver.blogspot.com/2021/07/today-is-my-mothers-birthday-she-would.html 

Comments

  1. ayshaJuly 22, 2022 at 9:53 PM

    She is beautiful... and her art is incredible. I can see this window into the magical world you inherited

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KarinaJuly 22, 2022 at 10:56 PM

      i so related to her art always... in fact i was and am crazy about it, my two sibling were luke warm, i sold many pieces in a fashion & jewelry store i had... she was born a woman at the wrong time and suffered for it, that's why we must always live fully what our mothers for any reason could not fully live at their times. We inherit their strengths and unfulfilled dreams, so ready to burst forth into life and the world – you know what i am talking about, Aysha!

      Delete
    2. nicole gervacioAugust 1, 2022 at 11:46 AM

      magical origins of Karinaland

      Delete
  2. Alex KJuly 24, 2022 at 4:51 PM

    Your mother is beautiful-in that photo I see someone lively, curious and fun. I can see the legacy of your parents in you with your creativity and unique and courageous view of the world around you. That episode with the young man at the mushroom stand touched my heart-to me it illustrates how you live with your soul close by inviting others who can see to join.

    ReplyDelete
  3. FernJuly 26, 2022 at 7:30 AM

    I could also feel time stopping thru the words spoken at the Farmers Market. What a powerful moment. It is in these moments that we understand the power of the present....as it wraps around our memories from the past. I love it when you wear that necklace, now when I see you wearing it I will know the story behind it! Thank you Karina for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. nicole gervacioAugust 1, 2022 at 11:52 AM

    These photos of you mom are so beautiful, I love seeing the resemblance of you in her and her artwork! It's always a pleasure to hear you share memories and stories about her when we come upon something she made in your house. It's like learning about Bob through his notebooks, handwriting, lists, typewritten letters, and papers, but with your mom it's soft colorful paint, sculpted roundish objects, fabrics, small treasures, and hand-made...your stories & memories fill in the life around these objects.

    ReplyDelete

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