To learn more about Jeanne,
visit thebarefootheart.com.there was space on the bottom of
the circle which Jeanne concluded
looked “awkwardly awful.” Jeanne
removed 50 of the stitched drawings,
creating a wide border around the
exterior, and she fi lled the center.
Since then, she’s moved on to the
IOOL Series 4 which contains 95
stitched drawings and counting.
Jeanne says she stitches what
Southern women talk about while
sitting in the swing out on the front
porch. Women have been stitching
forever—it’s an ordinary sight to see.
There’s one exception to this sight,
though—a woman who “hears” what
her sister-in-law cannot speak and
says it for her in a way the whole
world can behold.
How extraordinary!
The evolving language of Nancy’s
“marks” continues to captivate
Jeanne. “Nancy’s earlier, rounded,
single-color shapes have transitioned
into today’s complex, abstract marks
with multiple colors and heavy
gestural drawings.” The two plan to
continue their journey well into the
future. “Nancy shows no outward
indication that she understands
I’m stitching her drawings, but she
seems calmer and our relationship
has profoundly deepened and
solidifi ed,” says Jeanne. “I’ll keep
stitching the stories about Nancy’s
life and won’t stop until my fi ngers
eventually go on strike,” she laughs.
Jeanne has exhibited the stitched
IOOL works in limited venues and
hopes to show more. She says, “I will
show Nancy’s language everywhere
and every chance I get!” Let’s all
hope that show comes to a place
somewhere near us very soon!