21 Comments
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Susan T's avatar

What a beautiful poem. It is so hard losing friends which happens more frequently as we get older.

Diana van Eyk's avatar

My condolences to you, Diane. It sounds like you lost a very special friend.

Diane Engelhardt's avatar

Thanks, Diana! Gerti was special, and I think she would like what I've done for her.

Judith Dyer's avatar

How lovely. I know the pain of loosing a very special friend. My Friend Andrea, I knew from our ages of 15, was like this and also a very talented artist. My friend Rosemary, an artist, writer, creative genus...Both gone. I cannot call them now but try to channel them when I need to communicate. It's not the same as hearing their brilliant responses. They were both younger, by months or years, than me.

Gerti's art: I copied it to my art collection. Thank you.

Judith Dyer's avatar

OK....I tried to find a bio for Gerti Howorka...but no luck All I know is she is from Germany. Could you include one? One thing I always am: curious. It's good that I still am, even at 85.

Diane Engelhardt's avatar

Unfortunately, she never became as well-known as she deserved. She lived in Nuernberg, and I don't have a real bio. She was a textile designer as well as a graphic artist. This article appeared in the local newspaper in 2008, and is in German, as you'll see. https://www.nordbayern.de/kultur/nicht-ohne-meine-nahmaschine-1.1001423

Judith Dyer's avatar

https://hannas-blog.blogspot.com/2014/11/

wow,she is a textile designer. !! I LOVE textiles. Having sewn all my clothes until I started my business, then I went to less complicated clothes (no more Vogue designer coats, etc) I still sew even though the figure is gone. And, loving embroidery and appliqué. I think textiles are natural to women who have done that for thousands of years.

Women artists better just enjoy being creative,,,I have known many who got little to no recognition....most of my friends were artists...we clicked because I am very creative, just not an artist. I tried for years to make art, but I my art sucks.

Diane Engelhardt's avatar

From Gerti, I have the jacket in the picture and 1 other, 2 vests and a knapsack, and my husband has a jacket. The problem is wearing them because they are so extraordinary and not the sort of thing you wear on a walk.

Judith Dyer's avatar

If you click on the hannas-blogspot...above, it takes you to a whole lot of other pictures: that stores, that area...maybe some dresses by her? Lucky you to have some of her art. I have some art from my friends..treasured.

Sylvia Frost's avatar

Such a beautiful poem. I am saddened for your loss of a dear friend. Thank you for sharing.

Libertarian's avatar

A beautiful poem and tear-jerking listen. Your honor to Gerti is admirable.

Libertarian's avatar

The “when are you coming back?” Reminds me of the innocence of a child.

Judith Dyer's avatar

I have the same thought about my friend Rosemary: Tschüss, Ade,

auf Wiedersehen,

Wann kommt Ihr wieder?

She can't be completely gone. It's not possible.