Family Ties

Family Ties, Vendue Inn, Charleston, SC   

I didn't make it to the opening reception so missed the live performances but finally got to the Vendue Art Hotel this weekend to see my friend and batik artist Mary Edna Fraser's show. This time she was joined by her daughters! I was dazzled by all the art on display in the hotel's gallery. 

Family Ties explores the "interconnectedness of a family of makers," featuring work from local artist Mary Edna Fraser and her daughters, Labanna Babalon and Reba West Fraser. This show is curated by Erin and Justin Nathanson of The Southern.

Afternoon travelogue

Beautiful silks, Edna May Fraser

I traveled around the world this afternoon without going any further than the Isle of Palms. I was invited to my friend Jill's home to see slides from her recent trip to Cuba and then to hear about textile artist Mary Edna Fraser's adventures in Japan. Thanks ladies! 

Visit Mary Edna's website to see more of her beautiful art both in batik and now paintings. 

Talented friends - Mary Edna Fraser

Silks & Oils, Mary Edna Fraser, Charleston, SC  

Silks & Oils. Even the name of the show at Jericho, Inc. in Avondale is beautiful. I've always loved Mary Edna Fraser's batiks on silk that are based on images taken of our coastline other parts of the world from airplanes but now she is painting as well. I thought I had missed the exhibition but Mary Edna opened her gallery this afternoon for a few of us admiring stragglers and I got word!

My little pocket camera does not do her work justice so be sure to explore the website gallery.

I didn't buy an actual painting yet but we all treated ourselves to handfuls of these colorful magnets.
The two I got are based on batiks of Botany Bay. Gorgeous!

Batik Art by Mary Edna Fraser

Mount Pleasant Hospital, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

I ended a busy day at the Mount Pleasant Hospital closing out a fundraising uniform sale and stopped with pleasure to see batik artist Mary Edna Fraser's art work displayed on the wall. What lovely images! Check here for more of her work and her website. Here is a previous entry from a visit to her workshop.

In the artist's studio - Mary Edna Fraser

Mary Edna Fraser, Charleston, S.C.

I had an extraordinary evening last night, meeting up with my friend Susan to visit artist Mary Edna Fraser's studio on the marsh. We sat on the dock at dusk before exploring her studio and I came home feeling incredibly lucky. Mary Edna takes pictures from airplanes and makes the most amazing batik designs from them.

My life’s work is from an aerial perspective, a view of the earth I choose to transcribe onto silk using dyes in the ancient medium of batik. The art comprises a series of narrative landscapes inspired by the terraqueous reaches of the continent, where realms of earth, sea and sky converge. Each area is carefully researched, often by hiking the terrain, exploring the waterways by boat, and painting studies on location. Geology, topography, maps, charts, and satellite images are studied to identify features of visual interest.

I have a special fondness for Mary Edna's husband Dr. John Sperry as well since he was my children's Pediatrician. How many hundreds of lowcountry children has he shepherded through childhood? I try to jump the gun by asking "How are YOUR children?" but he is always a step ahead of me asking me about mine. It's a sweet thing seeing this couple so in love with each other. Medicine and science has been a perfect mix in this relationship. What a treat this evening was.