THIS IS THE STAGE AT ST. TIMOTHY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN WASHINGTON DC,... WHERE ADRIENNE MCDONALD'S DOLL'S (FROM HER MANY COLLECTORS) & PHOTO MEMORIES WERE DISPLAYED AFTER HER BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL CELEBRATION.... I THOUGHT THE QUOTE FROM DR. MAYA ANGELOU'S POEM "STILL I RISE",...WAS SO APROPRIATE FOR THE EVER QUESTING SPIRIT OF ADRIENNE MCDONALD.... IT'S ALSO FITTING, BECAUSE ADRIENNE HAD DESIGNED GARMENTS FOR DR. MAYA ANGELOU.
EARLY MONDAY MORNING MAY 5, 2008,... I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM CASANDRA BROMFIELD THAT OUR BELOVED FRIEND ADRIENNE MCDONALD HAD JUST PASSED AWAY.... THIS WAS A VERY HARD BLOW TO COMPREHEND,... SO CASANDRA AND I STARTED HAVING A VERY INTENSE, DEEP AND REFLECTING CONVERSATION ABOUT ADRIENNE,... WE WERE TALK AS IF WE WERE TRYING TO CALL HER BACK,... SO THAT WE COULD TURN THINGS AROUND,... FIX THINGS UP AND MAKE IT ALL BETTER... NEEDLESS TO SAY,... OUR EVOKING DID'NT WORK.
I BELIEVE A SPIRIT AS MAGICAL & FULL LIFE AS BELOVED ADRIENNE MCDONALD DOES NOT DIE,... THEY TRANSCEND GRACEFULLY INTO THEIR NEXT PHASE OF BEING,... WHERE EVER, OR, WHAT EVER THAT MAY BE..... ONE OF THE COMMON THREADS ALL OF ADRIENNE'S ARTIST FRIENDS & FAMILY HOLD FOR HER, IS HER MAGICAL AESTHETIC THAT WAS NOT ONLY THE HEART OF HER DESIGNS & ART WORK, BUT IN THE WAY SHE LIVED, LOVED AND ENTERTAINED HER GUEST (WHEN SHE WAS HOLDING COURT) WITH HER CONVERSATIONS OF BELIEF,... SPIRITURALITY,... FAMILY,... TALL TALE'S,... STORIES,... GOSSIP,... DESIRE'S,... PASSION,... ART,... SENSUALITY,... THE AESTHETIC BRILLIANCE SHE ADMIRED OF OTHER ARTIST,... AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST,... HER FAVORITE PASS-TIME SPORT, OF KEEPING UP WITH THE BEHIND THE SCENE LIVE'S OF CELEBRITIES SHE WORKED WITH,.. OR ADMIRED DURING HER LIFE.
THIS IS A FAMILY PHOTO OF ADRIENNE'S MOTHER, FATHER, BROTHERS NIECES AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS AND PASTOR AFTER HER BEAUTIFULLY EMOTIONALLY MOVING MEMORIAL CELEBRATION IN THE CHAPEL OF ST. TIMOTHY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, IN WASHINGTON DC.
MY VERY FIRST INCOUNTER WITH ADRIENNE MCDONALD WAS SEEING HER ART WORK ON EXHIBIT... I COULD NO BELIEVE WHAT I WAS SEEING, WHEN I FIRST SAW THIS WOMANS AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL TEXTILE MASTERPIECE (A HANDMADE FAIRY DRESS) ON EXHIBIT AT A BOUTIQUE IN BROOKLYN CALLED "BLACKBERRY'S".... BLACKBERRY'S WAS ONE OF THE FORE RUNNER URBAN DESIGN BUSINESSES ON FULTION STREET, BACK-IN-THE-DAY, IN OUR OLE "HOOD" OF FORT GREENE BROOKLYN.
ADRIENNE HAD CREATED THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND, VERY MAGICAL LITTLE "FAIRY DRESS", FOR THIS GROUP ART EXHIBIT THAT WAS HELD IN THE BOUTIQUE.... THE CRAFTMENSHIP, AND THE IMAGINATION THAT WENT INTO THIS CREATION ALONE WAS FAR BEYOND WHAT WAS BEING CREATED BY ANY ARTIST OF THE DAY.... I HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS SKILLED HAND NEEDLE WORK & IMAGINATION,... I HAD NOT SEEN IT IN A ART EXHIBIT,... OR IN A ART BOOK....
THE DYNAMIC'S THIS WORK OF TEXTILE ART POSSESSED, WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD....
THE DRESS WAS THIS TINY INDIGO DYED DRESS ABOUT 7 INCHES SQUARED,... MADE BY DECORATIVELY HAND DYING SHEAR SILK FABRIC,... SHE HAD ADORNED THIS DRESS WITH BURNED LITTLE HOLES, THAT MADE YOU VIEW "HER" HOLES IN A GARMENT, AS IF IT WAS AN EMBEDDED JEWEL....SHE ALSO SEWED LITTLE SHEAR PATCHES ON THE GARMENT, THAT SHE INCASED SMALL RUSTY ORNATE OLD VICTORIAN KEYS... SHE ADORN THE GARMENT WITH OTHER SILK PATCH'S, THAT INCASED CRYSTALS BEADS, STONES, BONES, SHELLS OR WHAT EVER SHE DECIDED TO INCLOSE IN THESE PATCHES.... SHE WOULD HAVE RUSTY SAFTY PENS IN A CLUSTER PERFECTLY PLACED WITH A RUSTY OLD SINGER SEWING MACHINE BOBBIN.....
THIS TRULY MAGICAL WORK OF TEXTILE WONDER WAS ANCIENT...NEW... ORGANIC,... ALIVE.... AND A "CLASSIC"...
"NOT OVER WORKED.... NOT UNDER WORKED....JUST, MASTERFUL".... I NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE OR SINCE.... A SMALL WORK OF WONDER. THAT SPRANG FROM A VERY POWERFUL,... FERTILE AND SPIRITUALLY PASSIONATE MAGICAL MIND.
I DEFINATELY HAS TO MEET THIS PERSON THAT COULD CREAT THESE DIVINE MINITURE GARMENTS,.... SO DELICATE, YET SO POWERFUL....
IT TOOK A WHILE FOR US TO MEET... AND WHEN WE DID,... WE KNEW EACH OTHER BEFORE WE SPOKE....
PHOTO'S MONTAGE OF ADRIENNE MCDONALD THAT WAS ON DISPLAY AT HER MEMORIAL CELEBRATION WITH THE COLLECTION OF DOLLS THAT WERE BROUGHT TO THE CELEBRATION BY HER MANY COLLECTORS.
AT THE MCDONALD HOME AFTER THE MEMORIAL CELEBRATION AT THE CHURCH.... ADRIENNE'S AMAZINGLY LOVING AND WONDERFUL FATHER PREPARING A DISPLAY THAT SOMEONE SENT FROM "INCREDIBLE EDIBLE'S",.... THAT DID NOT LAST 15 MINUTE ON THE TABLE.... I DID A LOT OF THE DAMAGE ON THIS PIECE WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS.
ADRIENNE'S AMAZINGLY LOVING AND WONDERFUL MOTHER,... BUSTING OPEN THE BOTTLE OF WINE.
ADRIENNE'S MOTHER FINALLY SITTING DOWN FOR A FEW SECOND'S,... TALKING,... SHARING THOUGHTS & MEMORIES WITH ADRIENNE'S PROTEGE, DOLL MAKER TIFFANY & OTHER'S, IN ADRIENNE'S PARENTS LIVING ROOM.
ADRIENNE'S FAMILY & FRIENDS SHARING COMFORTING MOMENTS WITH EACH OTHER IN THE MCDONALD'S KITCHEN,... WITH THE TV ON IN THE BACKGROUND.
ADRIENNE BEAUTIFUL COUSIN MICHELLE AND HER NEW ADORABLE INFANT SON.
ONE OF THE MANY CONVERSATIONS THAT I ENJOYED WITH ADRIENNE IS HEARING HER TALK ABOUT THE FAMILY GARDEN, AND HOW HER PARENTS CULTIVATED IT.... I COULD SEE THE SAME LOVE & CULTIVATION THAT THEY PUT INTO ADRIENNE, THE SAME LABOR OF LOVE THAT ENHANCED AND SUPPORTED HER, TO DEVELOP THE MAGICAL VISION OF HER ART.... I SAW THE SAME SPIRIT IN THE FAMILY GARDEN..... THIS IS A PHOTO OF THE FAMILY'S OUTDOOR COOKOUT AREA.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY GARDEN PATCHES WITH IT'S LANTERN AND BIG YELLOW ARTIFICIAL BUTTERFLY....(I LOVE THAT BUTTERFLY TOUCH... SUCH CHARACTER!!!)
...AND THE LITTLE POND,... WITH THE SPITTING BLUE FISH.... THE TURTLE.... FROG AND THE BIRD WAY OFF IN THE MID RIGHT HAND CORNER.... AIN'T THIS THE CUTEST LITTLE SETTING..... ADRIENNE WOULD TELL ME TO SHUT-UP RIGHT ABOUT NOW....
...AND THE POTTED PLANTS WITH THE BIG RED ARTIFICIAL FLYING LADY BUGS ON THE WIRES.....(DO'NT IT MAKE YOU WANT TO TALK "BABY-TALK"?)
...AND "WOOK" A WHAT'S AT THE BASE OF THE "WIDDLE TWEE"....OOOOWW.... AIN'T THIS THE "TWEETEST WIDDLE TING".
....OK....NOW I SEE WHERE ON THEM FAIRY'S CAME FROM.... ALL THIS HOME-SPUN LOVE & HOME-GROWN-MAGICAL-GARDEN STUFF & THINGS.
....AND THE RUSTIC WOODEN DOOR WITH THE FLORAL ARRANGEMENT....TRULY GRACIOUS HOMEMAKERS.... JOB WELL DONE MR & MRS MCDONALD,... THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, FOR YOUR LOVE, PATIENCE AND EFFORT THAT WENT INTO THE RAISING & GROOMING OF YOUR FAMILY,... YOUR LOVING WORK HAS MULTIPLIED AND TOUCHED SO MANY OTHER ARTIST & PEOPLE THROUGH THE GIFTS THAT ADRIENNE BESTOWED UPTON US, THAT BLOSSOMED FROM THE BOTH OF YOU AND YOUR LOVING FAMILY.... YOU WILL FOREVERY BE IN OUR HEARTS & PAYERS AND A ADDED PART OF OUR LIVES.
...I HAD TRAVELED DOWN TO WASHINGTON DC THAT MORNING ON THE (DISCOUNT) CHINA TOWN BUS FROM NEW YORK WITH ANOTHER OF ADRIENNE'S ARTIST FRIENDS,... JEWELRY DESIGNER SHIMODA,... WE WERE PICKED-UP FROM THE BUS STOP IN DC BY ANN MARIE,... ONE OF SHIMODA'S & ADRIENNE'S ARTIST FRIENDS.... "I HAD TO SAY THAT,... TO SAY THIS"... BEFORE SHIMODA AND I KNEW IT,... IT WAS TIME FOR US TO RUN OUT OF THE MCDONALDS HOUSE....AND GET DOWN TO CATCH ONE OF THE LAST CHINATOWN BUSES LEAVING DC FOR NEW YORK.... SO I RAN OUT THE MCDONALD'S HOUSE SO QUICK... I FORGOT TO SAY GOOD-BY TO ADRIENNE'S PARENTS.... PLEASE FORGIVE ME MR & MRS MCDONALD.....I WAS RAISED BETTER THEN THAT.
BUT BEFORE WE LEFT DC FOR NEW YORK,.... A FRIEND OF OURS, ARTIST/DESIGNER AKIBA KIIESMIRA WAS HAVING A MOTHERS DAY ART SELL & OPEN HOUSE, AT THE BEAUTIFUL HOME OF BRENDA WINSTEAD.
EVERYONE LOOKED BEAUTIFUL AND EVERYTHING WAS DISPLAYED SO BEAUTIFULLY.
EVERYONE HAD SUCH INSPIRING PRODUCTS.... HERE IS GUEST VISIONARY/DESIGNER (SITTING IN THE PINK DRESS), AMSHATAR MONROE AND HER "GREETINGS OF LOVE, JOY AND ABUNDANCE" FINE ARTS STATIONERY AND GIFTS.
AMSHATAR MONROE'S (DETAILED VIEW) "GREETINGS OF LOVE, JOY AND ABUNDANCE" FINE ARTS STATIONERY AND GIFTS,... LOVELY PACKAGING.
THIS IS THE AMAZING HEALING ARTIST IVY HYLTON WITH HER CRYSTAL SINGING BOWLS, CD's AND OTHER ITEMS..... YOU SHOULD GOOGLE HER NAME TO CHECK OUT MORE OF HER WONDERFUL WORK.
THE GATHERING OF SHOPPERS AND VENDORS AMONG THE MERCHANDISE.
EVENT PRODUCER AKIBA KIIESMIRA IN THE BLACK DRESS AND CUSTOMER ANN MARIE.
AKIBA WITH A ULTRA STYLISH, SUPERNATURAL CUSTOMER.
AKIBA WITH HER WEARABLE ART CREATIONS.
WE LEFT THE MOTHER'S DAY SELL... ANN MARIE DROPPED SHIMODA AND I OFF AT THE CHINATOWN BUS JUST IN TIME FOR THE LAST BUS LEAVING FOR NEW YORK....BITTER SWEET MEMORIES... ADRIENNE MCDONALD.... THIS IS NOT THE END.... THIS IS A NEW BEGINNING OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF ADRIENNE ANNETTE MCDONALD JAN. 5, 1962-MAY 2, 2008.... SEE YOU IN THE NEXT LIGHT!!!!... BLESSINGS & JOY.
