Jessica Ith – Hub Miller - 2000
Oh the Ecstasy!
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Jessica and her twin sister Hecken have been ill for the most recent 75 of their 86 years. It’s nothing too serious, just a respiratory ailment that prevents them from functioning in the external world. They can both walk but they don’t because they have wheelchairs. Theirs was a genteel upbringing in a fine residence surrounded by formal gardens and orchards on the shores of Lake Luzern in Switzerland. A stair-step fountain cascades from the south façade into a pool inhabited by large goldfish. For all those decades, the sisters have been lulled to sleep each summer night by the steady splashing. This sound and the murmur of the wind in a row of towering poplars that line the lakefront is their favorite music.
The six to eight weeks of illness the twins experienced each fall required them to be waited on hand and foot. When they were eleven years old, their parents decided to move them from separate bedrooms on the third floor of the great house to a single large bedroom on the second floor where the staff could care for them more efficiently. It was a corner room with expansive views in several directions over the lake with mountains as a backdrop.
“Oh what a lovely room to be sick in,” they both squealed in unison when they were first wheeled in. They haven’t had a healthy day from then until now. To brighten their spirits, quantities of flowers were brought in each day. Before long, Jessica called for paper and watercolors to be set up beside her bed. When she felt strong enough, she could take brush in hand and fill the pages with the most delicate and delightful washes and colors, watery and splashy like the world around her. The paper came to life with what she saw, all those flowers and sometimes a glimpse of trees and lake outside. In this way nearly all the days of her life passed, the mornings painting and the afternoons in exquisite daydreams until time for dinner to be brought in. Once or twice a week if the two of them had the strength, there would be a trip to the gardens outside.
They don’t even remember when their parents died. A great event comes at the end of spring each year when they are wheeled along the lakeside esplanade in the town of Weggis, there to be greeted by throngs of townspeople. It is the official opening of summer. Later, in the park by the steamer dock they would sit side by side glowing like the sun in their snow-white dresses……… “Aren’t they wonderful?” The townspeople shout.
Jessica Ith Artist Statement
“Oh the ecstasy of it all - whether I am in the midst of my favorite flower garden directing the planting of some new hybrids, or pausing in my work to watch transfixed as a cloud of bluebirds descends on the poplars, I am transported to paradise. The flow of the universe courses through my body. Or sometimes in winter, the darkening gray of the sky brings the colors of our indoor garden into a sharp focus that is almost painful in its delight. But the best experience of all, I think, arrives with the first gentle breeze of the oncoming spring…. the rustling of the curtains at the window with a breath of warmth….the air caressing my face. Now the symphony of waves and birds, and happy voices from down in the street, signal a time for me to begin translate my emotions to paper.”
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Jessica and her twin sister Hecken have been ill for the most recent 75 of their 86 years. It’s nothing too serious, just a respiratory ailment that prevents them from functioning in the external world. They can both walk but they don’t because they have wheelchairs. Theirs was a genteel upbringing in a fine residence surrounded by formal gardens and orchards on the shores of Lake Luzern in Switzerland. A stair-step fountain cascades from the south façade into a pool inhabited by large goldfish. For all those decades, the sisters have been lulled to sleep each summer night by the steady splashing. This sound and the murmur of the wind in a row of towering poplars that line the lakefront is their favorite music.
The six to eight weeks of illness the twins experienced each fall required them to be waited on hand and foot. When they were eleven years old, their parents decided to move them from separate bedrooms on the third floor of the great house to a single large bedroom on the second floor where the staff could care for them more efficiently. It was a corner room with expansive views in several directions over the lake with mountains as a backdrop.
“Oh what a lovely room to be sick in,” they both squealed in unison when they were first wheeled in. They haven’t had a healthy day from then until now. To brighten their spirits, quantities of flowers were brought in each day. Before long, Jessica called for paper and watercolors to be set up beside her bed. When she felt strong enough, she could take brush in hand and fill the pages with the most delicate and delightful washes and colors, watery and splashy like the world around her. The paper came to life with what she saw, all those flowers and sometimes a glimpse of trees and lake outside. In this way nearly all the days of her life passed, the mornings painting and the afternoons in exquisite daydreams until time for dinner to be brought in. Once or twice a week if the two of them had the strength, there would be a trip to the gardens outside.
They don’t even remember when their parents died. A great event comes at the end of spring each year when they are wheeled along the lakeside esplanade in the town of Weggis, there to be greeted by throngs of townspeople. It is the official opening of summer. Later, in the park by the steamer dock they would sit side by side glowing like the sun in their snow-white dresses……… “Aren’t they wonderful?” The townspeople shout.
Jessica Ith Artist Statement
“Oh the ecstasy of it all - whether I am in the midst of my favorite flower garden directing the planting of some new hybrids, or pausing in my work to watch transfixed as a cloud of bluebirds descends on the poplars, I am transported to paradise. The flow of the universe courses through my body. Or sometimes in winter, the darkening gray of the sky brings the colors of our indoor garden into a sharp focus that is almost painful in its delight. But the best experience of all, I think, arrives with the first gentle breeze of the oncoming spring…. the rustling of the curtains at the window with a breath of warmth….the air caressing my face. Now the symphony of waves and birds, and happy voices from down in the street, signal a time for me to begin translate my emotions to paper.”
Villa Ith
Luzern, Switzerland
June 10, 1999
Dear Herr Hubmiller,
Hecken and I spent two hours in the garden again today recording the motions of slugs. What a joy it is to have this delightful weather, a warm breeze from the south came up at about daylight and continued until suppertime. By the time we arrived at the fountain promenade, the fekezeas and gormans were open and flashing their incredibly blue blossoms, the one a darker luster than the other. It is simply impossible for me to describe in words the rapture I feel in the presence of all this glorious color and pattern. The sky is such an intense color that I feel it vibrating in the back of my brain.
Tomorrow I must turn my attention to directing the planting of those wonderful janana hybrids that came in from Tonosnel last week. Perhaps I will be able to establish the new south garden along the lakefront in time for the Leppus Celebration next year when Itol and Joken will be here.
Before the week is over we are to take a steamer excursion on the lake as far as Brunnen.
I have begun a new series of delicious watercolors that I hope you will like. If my energy level remains high, they will all be ready for the upcoming show in Santa Fe, These are my inner impressions of the hanskli and bublinsl theickets that were installed last year.
Hans came up just now with a crate and so I saw for the first time the portrait of me that Herr Thunder has painted. What a magnificent artist he is, he had so little to go on. The bluebirds were just arriving from Italy that day and he captured the beautiful little creatures settling on our poplars. It was a blustery day and my hair must have been out of control, and I notice that my face is spread all over the bottom of the canvas with some windows in the house reflected in the left lens of my glasses. Herr Thunder has nevertheless captured my inner essence I think, and I love it!
Now I must return to my work.
Your devoted friend Jessica Ith
Jessica Ith
Villa Ith
Luzern, Switzerland
January, 1, 2001
Dear Herr Hubmiller,
A most unfortunate thing has happened! The portrait of me prepared by our beloved Herr Thunder has bees terribly damaged, In the middle of the night there was a terrible crash: somehow the portrait in its great gold frame leaped over the rail from the highest landing of our grand staircase and plummeted three stories to the marble floor of the entry foyer below. It might have survived had it not been for the immediate arrival of a massive chest loaded with Austrian Silver that had stood on the second landing and several crystal chandeliers, I can’t imagine what happened; no one is talking.
This morning the portions of the painting that the staff was able to collect have been shipped to you by Overseas Express. Please notify me of any additional funds that will be required.
Your devoted friend Jessica Ith
Luzern, Switzerland
June 10, 1999
Dear Herr Hubmiller,
Hecken and I spent two hours in the garden again today recording the motions of slugs. What a joy it is to have this delightful weather, a warm breeze from the south came up at about daylight and continued until suppertime. By the time we arrived at the fountain promenade, the fekezeas and gormans were open and flashing their incredibly blue blossoms, the one a darker luster than the other. It is simply impossible for me to describe in words the rapture I feel in the presence of all this glorious color and pattern. The sky is such an intense color that I feel it vibrating in the back of my brain.
Tomorrow I must turn my attention to directing the planting of those wonderful janana hybrids that came in from Tonosnel last week. Perhaps I will be able to establish the new south garden along the lakefront in time for the Leppus Celebration next year when Itol and Joken will be here.
Before the week is over we are to take a steamer excursion on the lake as far as Brunnen.
I have begun a new series of delicious watercolors that I hope you will like. If my energy level remains high, they will all be ready for the upcoming show in Santa Fe, These are my inner impressions of the hanskli and bublinsl theickets that were installed last year.
Hans came up just now with a crate and so I saw for the first time the portrait of me that Herr Thunder has painted. What a magnificent artist he is, he had so little to go on. The bluebirds were just arriving from Italy that day and he captured the beautiful little creatures settling on our poplars. It was a blustery day and my hair must have been out of control, and I notice that my face is spread all over the bottom of the canvas with some windows in the house reflected in the left lens of my glasses. Herr Thunder has nevertheless captured my inner essence I think, and I love it!
Now I must return to my work.
Your devoted friend Jessica Ith
Jessica Ith
Villa Ith
Luzern, Switzerland
January, 1, 2001
Dear Herr Hubmiller,
A most unfortunate thing has happened! The portrait of me prepared by our beloved Herr Thunder has bees terribly damaged, In the middle of the night there was a terrible crash: somehow the portrait in its great gold frame leaped over the rail from the highest landing of our grand staircase and plummeted three stories to the marble floor of the entry foyer below. It might have survived had it not been for the immediate arrival of a massive chest loaded with Austrian Silver that had stood on the second landing and several crystal chandeliers, I can’t imagine what happened; no one is talking.
This morning the portions of the painting that the staff was able to collect have been shipped to you by Overseas Express. Please notify me of any additional funds that will be required.
Your devoted friend Jessica Ith
