ARTIST STATEMENT

STELLA WALKER

PORTRAITS OF FINGER PUPPETS

I first spotted the finger puppets in the Gift Shop of the Ladies Auxilliary in Union Hospital in Moose Jaw where my dear mother Lillie was cared for after a stroke in April 2005. I was touched by their gentle spirits and individuality.  In the following three months in three visits to Moose Jaw  I returned to the gift shop to buy more of the little guys at fifty cents a pop. 

In Toronto, my friend Paul Tedeschini suggested I paint them, then interior designer Eve Weinberg spotted a portrait in progress during a studio visit,  enthusiastically organized a show, and I created 24 finger puppet portraits in a marathon painting session over two months.  Painting helped me through a significant transition - Mom passed on July 4, 2005, and my dear father Mickey passed on six months later -  January 14, 2006.  The day after Dad died I finished the first puppet portrait, and it's been steady painting ever since.  Sometimes when I'm painting I feel Mom looking over my shoulder - out of the blue - I think she approves.

The woman in charge of puppets in Moose Jaw is Shirley Daniel. Shirley motivates and organizes the large scale production of tiny products.   I asked Shirley Daniel to write a letter about the puppets and here is an excerpt:

"Dear Stella,

The puppet story began in Regina Pasqua Hospital 7 A.M, 1982.  I was having blood work done; a little girl two years old was being poked for finger blood and very upset  the nurse put a puppet on the finger, no more tears, just smiles altho' in her frustration she pulled the ponytail back and forth on the puppet. Thus, my project was born.

We keep the lab emergency and Children's ward supplied.  We literally do thousands in a year.  The kudos from those depts. are all we do it for.  The gift shop (at fifty cents) are just extras moms buy as a gift for the little ones instead of candy.  Also at xmas time they buy them to put on children's gift packages. 

I don't knit so another lady knits them (I give her the wool) she does me 800 at a time, 3 or 4 times a year.  So whatever the demand,  if I can find some shut in, 80 or 90 years, who will do the faces, otherwise I always do the hair, as I watch T.V.

Yes, the finished product does take on a character.  The colours are not meant to co-ordinate -  they are bright colours as seen from a child's eyes, also works good to give the child one as she comes in the hospital door in tears.

I love culture, music, art work and drama, can't get enough exposure, and I'm crafty.  I have for several years looked after the knitting and crocheting project in the shop.  Have many crafters, I buy the wool and take it to them and pick up the finished articles.  Several are in their 90's and many don't get out but they need to be needed and we appreciate them.

In Feb we put a dinner on in appreciation to thank all our volunteers who take the canteen cart out every afternoon and all who run the gift shop and all my knitters.  We had 85 able to come to our luncheon.  I belong to the hospital auxilliary (20 of us) all in our 60's, 70's and 80's.  I do other volunteering so life is good.

I wish you well at your show and keep in touch if you like.

May you be blessed with good health.

Sincerely,

Shirley"