Monday 27 October 2008

Sad News


You may have read on Dale's blog the sad news that Julia Caprara died on Friday. She has shaped the lives and work of so many people. Her use of colour was so inspiring, her sketchbooks were delicious and her stitching was both considered and gloriously riotous at the same time. She was also such a lovely person. I did an interview with her for Workshop on the Web (now on the D4Daisy site) and she took so much trouble over her responses that it was one of the longest and I think, the best, interview I have ever conducted.







She had been ill for some time and it was amazing that she was able to finish the book. I am so glad that she saw it and that she was pleased. Michael rushed to show her, straight from the printers, and she sat up in bed and went through every page with him. She was delighted. I think we were so privileged to have been able to work with her in this way.


It doesn't seem very long ago that we were both doing talks at a Guild Regional day in Bournemouth and took the chance to catch up. Julia seemed so vibrant that day and her talk was great.

We shall all miss her so much and our hearts go out to Alex and the family.

16 comments:

Heather said...

I feel quite bereft, even though I didn't really know Julia Caprara. I was one of her distance learning students and her written tutorials were the best I have ever known. What a wonderful legacy we have through our memories of a lovely person, her work and her books. I did meet her very briefly once in my early C&G days, and she was so kind to a 'new' girl.

jac said...

I spent a loverly weekend with her in Norwich a few years back and have great 'COLOUR 'photos stashed away of her work and our offerings from the workshop . It was one that stayed in your mind and grew afterwards .
Jackie

Diana said...

Yes, terribly sad news. I knew she was ill but it's still a shock. I met her a couple of times and like everyone else, I was struck by what a lovely lady she was. A very sad time for the embroidery world.

chrissythreads said...

The world seems a little less colourful today.Although all of us who were her OPUS students knew she was very ill we all hoped with our support and love we could keep her amongst us. I am so glad you were able to give us all one more look at Julia's work in the new book and I like to think of her, full of enthusiasm for her students work directing Alex, up a ladder, hanging an exhibition.To me she will always be smiling.

Lindsey said...

How terribly sad and what a loss to us all. I never knew Julia but I have loved her work for a long time. I remember seeing her exhibition within the first Knitting and Stitching Show at Birmingham. Never before has the power of a collection of work reduced me to tears. Her work was stunning. Her use of colour glorious.
I am so glad that her book was completed for her to see - a fabulous addition to her legacy.
She will be greatly missed by so many.

Lesley Turner said...

You have done it again, Maggie. Thank you for the part you played in getting Julia's book out to the world. Julia would have felt so pleased to have completed a special project she has been working on for a long time.

artisbliss said...

Very sorry to hear about Julia. Her work is indeed beautiful and inspiring.

Carol said...

What a loss to us all, such a shame. My love to all who feel her loss.

Angie Willis said...

This is a shock. I just bought her new book - the first of her's I have and just love it. I had no idea she was ill. I shall remember her through her wonderful book.

Julie said...

I read Dale's announcement yesterday and could not believe it. I have never met Julia but have admired her amazing use of colour and stitch since I saw her exhibition at the Festival of Quilts the first time I went. Her sketch books were an inspiration and her new book equally so. My sincere condolences to her family and everyone feeling her loss.

Sharne Gregory said...

I was sad to hear about Julia, I have never been lucky enough to meet her but I have been inspired my her use of colour.

Maggi said...

I was very sad to read about Julia. Her work is inspirational. My sincere condolences must go to her family

Judy said...

Maggie,

I had not known of Julia Caprara until I saw some of her work on your blog when you were working on her book. I was struck by her sense of colour and desirted to own her book which I have ordered from Dale.

I am so sorry to have not known her work but doubley sorry for all her family, friends, and those whom she influenced with her work.

Unknown said...

Dear Maggie,
It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Julia Caprara from your blog this week. My daughter Jenn and I had the privelege of working with Julia and Alex when we attended several courses they ran in York a few years ago. Julia was a truly inspirational person, so generous with her encouragement and thoughtful with her advice and comments. She always took a particular interest in each individual and their work - it was a real joy just to be in her presence. We learnt much from her. The legacy she leaves us is one of vibrant colour and sumptuous stitching and will continue to inspire many stitchers for years to come. Our hearts go out to Alex and her family who will miss her greatly as will all those who knew her and were tutored by her.
Linda Conroy

Heather said...

I have just taken my first peek at the free lesson via your new book, and what a treat we have in store. Quite by chance, last week, I made several paper casts of an ammonite and I think I have everything else I need to get started. This is really the cherry on top - thank you so much.

Anonymous said...

It doesn't seem very long ago that we were both doing talks at a Guild Regional day in Bournemouth and took the chance to catch up. Julia seemed so vibrant that day and her talk was great.
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