Thursday
December 8th.
Feast of the
Immaculate Conception
of Mary
In all the years I have been in association with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth I have met several artists in residence at Nazareth.
The one that left the most lasting impression on me was
Penny Sisto.
Penny Sisto was born in the Orkney Islands off the northern tip of Scotland. As a health worker for the British Ministry of Overseas Development, she utilized her skills as a midwife and aided in health clinics for the Maasai, LuBukusu and Kikuyu tribes of East Africa.
During this time, Penny combined the embroidery, applique and quilting techniques she learned from her grandmother with the beading and collage methods of her African friends.
Ms. Sisto says, “I have little or no formal education, my Granny taught me to sew and read by the soft light of a kerosene lantern at the age of three. The nuns taught me to embroider, the Maasai taught me to crochet, and to revel in color.
"My quits spring full-born into my mind. My task, if you will, is to allow my clumsy hands to make them manifest.
"My granny taught me quilting. Placing square against square in neat stacks to be sewn that night after the farm chores were done. Granny was stern, ‘Stitch and unpick, corners must be squared, and colors mixed dark and then light!’ - Even at seven I rebelled!”
Today, in her Floyds Knobs, Indiana home Sisto continues to do her amazing work.
Penny Sisto was born in the Orkney Islands off the northern tip of Scotland. As a health worker for the British Ministry of Overseas Development, she utilized her skills as a midwife and aided in health clinics for the Maasai, LuBukusu and Kikuyu tribes of East Africa.
During this time, Penny combined the embroidery, applique and quilting techniques she learned from her grandmother with the beading and collage methods of her African friends.
Ms. Sisto says, “I have little or no formal education, my Granny taught me to sew and read by the soft light of a kerosene lantern at the age of three. The nuns taught me to embroider, the Maasai taught me to crochet, and to revel in color.
"My quits spring full-born into my mind. My task, if you will, is to allow my clumsy hands to make them manifest.
"My granny taught me quilting. Placing square against square in neat stacks to be sewn that night after the farm chores were done. Granny was stern, ‘Stitch and unpick, corners must be squared, and colors mixed dark and then light!’ - Even at seven I rebelled!”
Today, in her Floyds Knobs, Indiana home Sisto continues to do her amazing work.
Penny's Mary
Tsarina-America
Penny's work is all hand quilted.
You will find a gallery of her work and her biography on
It is an amazing story.
Her works are so full of soul and suffering that she experienced as a young girl raised by her Indian grandmother.
Most I could never afford, but the one above, Peace in the Valley , I was able to purchase at a reasonable price at a gallery in Bardstown.
The cut pieces are quilted on a hand written fabric of the 21st. Psalm
This is my most prized piece of original art and I have many pieces.
Go here for more Marys
Can't resist telling you about her son.
Jeremy Sisto is currently appearing in Law and Order as one of the detectives.
Jeremy's father is a musician in Kentucky and his mother lives in Indiana.
Jeremy Sisto starred as Jesus in the film
Jesus
My most favorite of all the Jesus films.
He has been in many films and on Broadway.
Penny is a wonderful example of putting her faith to work through her hands to help others.
She is as famous for her good works as she is her art.
This sharing of the faces of Mary has brought much JOY
to me these days.
He has been in many films and on Broadway.
Penny is a wonderful example of putting her faith to work through her hands to help others.
She is as famous for her good works as she is her art.
This sharing of the faces of Mary has brought much JOY
to me these days.
16 comments:
Thank you for sharing the work and story of Penny Sisto. Her work is amazing - especially her rendition of Mary.
I am having a most wonderful time learning all the Mary stories, your own Mary is stunning her eyes pop right out of the canvas, yes she must be very treasured given her background too!
Sue x
Lovely work of art...how wonderful that you were able to obtain it. Interesting tidbits you've woven in this tale. So many interconnections in this world...
Peggy,
You made a fine purchase. Enjoy it.
This is amazing, her work is large, and beautiful.
yvonne
How wonderful to own such a sacred piece of art...it is amazing♥♥♥
I really like that second Madonna--she's got power, she has!
Mary My Joy
What a wonderful story - so nice to 'meet' these folks through you! Her work is truly marvelous!
What a wonderful story. Such exquisite works of art. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Peace
Interesting! I just saw Jeremy Sisto this morning on Clueless! I loved him as Jesus, the first time one saw Him has laughing and joking around. He played the part very well.
Penny's Tsarina-America is gorgeous!
Thank you for sharing the post.
Had a browse through her gallery via your link - wow! You have a lovely piece / peace!
Yowsas-what an amazing story! And a beautiful quilt. Not to mention the stellar example of faith.
These are amazing. . . so is the creative talent that runs in the Sisto family.
Thank you for bringing this amazing artwork to your blog for all of us to see.
i am very moved by these words...
"Penny is a wonderful example of putting her faith to work through her hands to help others.
She is as famous for her good works as she is her art."
thank you for beauty that heals.
I am a quilter - and these are absolutely works of art & love. thankyou for sharing them - you are certainly blessed to have one !
Quilting like this is very rare. The beauty and skill that makes these wonderful images on quilt would be a grace to any home. thank you so much for sharing them with us.
xo,
Noelle
Post a Comment