In the "Tall Girl Series: a Body of Work," fiber artist Carol Larson highlights the 40 years since the three surgeries that "broke my body, nearly crushed my spirit, and forever changed my life." At the age of 17, Carol had reached a height of 6'6". With the intention of giving her a "normal life," a doctor surgically shortened her six inches. That was in 1965. In 2008, Carol completed a series of quilts that reflect the physical pain, the emotional scars, and the spiritual healing that followed the surgery.
On the day of the Petaluma Quilt Show, Saturday, August 8, 2009, Carol will present her slide show lecture about the Tall Girl Series at the Petaluma Arts Center as part of the August ArtsLive events at the center. Carol will display some of the quilts in the series, and have her chapbook about the quilts available for sale.
Of the quilt pictured here called "Transfuse," Carol wrote:
"The doctor described the proposed 'procedures' in detail, as I stood in my underwear, in his office with my mother. He went into graphic detail of which no one should be privy, except other doctors. As he said, "If she does not lose too much blood," I passed out. Apparently it was the first pass-out of many to follow."
Of the quilt "Coulda' beens," Carol wrote:
"Had I self-esteem instead of surgery, I could've been many things: a professional women's basketball player, a high fashion model, or a volleyball player."
To see more pictures of Carol's art quilts, visit her website at www.live2dye.com.
