Janice's Design Story

I am thrilled to be able to show Janice Gail's casket off for her and tell some of the story behind it as well as share the lovely photos.  We all can see that the piece is just gorgeous, but I know it is more so as photos of silk embroidery just never show the dimension and texture as well as we want because of the reflections off silk.  

Janice says about the design:

Well, I chose the ladies to represent my daughters (one is a musician for Sound and the other is an artist for Sight). The other three are for my sisters, one of whom has passed away. The other two sisters fought over who would get to be represented by which Sense (lovingly, of course). 

The colors of hair and dresses were picked to go with each individual, I TRIED to make them look similar to each person (not too successfully) and pictures were sent to everyone to keep them up to date. The back was to represent my husband and son, with me thrown in just to keep things going along family lines.

The top was simply a design just as you [teacher] sent it to us to see if I could give the right 17th century feel to things. I actually think that I like that one the best as I could attempt to get personality into the people. The knotwork was the first design picked, to symbolize my Irish heritage, and the sheep HAD to be on there as my ancestors were sheep herders in New Mexico in the 1800's.  

It was so challenging to try to tell MY story, but make it look like an original styled casket. I had fallen in love with a picture of the Martha Edlin casket when I was 10, and dreamed of having one of my very own for the 55 years since then, so there was no decision over what style. It's also VERY addictive, and I dove head first into a mirror surround after the casket (the same week)!

I love how she took the allegories of the senses and managed to represent her family while staying true to the 17th century form.  Tomorrow I will add a few details as I know everyone is dying to get up close!