Starting the Dahlio and Maria piece

Dahlio and Maria are my lovely nieghbours. Sadly though, Dahlio died a couple of years ago at the age of 92. They had a wonderful relationship and vegetable garden and worked tirelessly out in their garden from dawn til dusk. Then in autumn they would harvest and put down their spoils. I could see them from my top terrace as they sliced, diced, cut, boiled and did what they had to do to preserve the vegetables and fruit for the winter.
Maria still keeps the garden with the help of some able bodied men. They grow corn, biet (silver beet) in NZ, tomatoes (lots of course) lettuce, kiwi fruit, apples, onions, leeks, and numerous other veges.
A year or so before Dahlio died, I took a series of photos, knowing some day I would like to make some art of their story. He spoke good English, as he was captured in Egypt in the early part of the war and shipped off to an Australian POW camp. This is where he learned his love of gardening and English. We had such a special bond with him over the 5 years we knew him. His funeral was very sad.
I was inspired to get on with this piece as I noticed Maria has set up "their'" table in their yard, for the preparation of the vegetables, with the umbrella to protect them from the extreme heat and I noticed there was only one chair this year. Ahhh...'Questa la vita' ...'Tis the life' as the Italians say.

Still lots to do...add the rotary hoe, much stitching,
I hope I do justice to their lovely faces.
Maria has the most beautiful smile and Dahlio sincere and wise.


I feel they embody the very essence of not only Abruzzo, but all over Italy in small medieval hilltop villages, like here in Introdacqua, towns and the outskirts of all cities, there would be people just like Dahlio and Maria quietly working their small plots of land. The Italians are great gardeners.
I will add more photos as I work on this piece.
Let me know your thoughts by leaving me a message.

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