Yesterday a box arrived. When opened, this is what I discovered. Balloons!






A smile brightened the landscape of my face. I would've been perfectly content with the frivolity of these small colorful creatures, but beneath them was a veryveryvery special gift.

I'm usually such a yakker, but I have no words. Seriously. I can only hope you can hear my heart pumping and jumping and thumping with joy. I experienced extreme joy festooned with privilege and humbleness upon realizing the lovely significance of Jamie's gift.


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This is a photo of the woman who sent this remarkable package.




Jamie Geller Dutra


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This is a photograph of Jamie's mother, Shirley Geller




Shirley Geller
1924 - 2010



Shirley Geller majored in art at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in the early 1940s. For a brief time following, she worked at The Wilmot Agency, an industrial design firm in New York, New York, where she designed the Jujube packaging for the Heide Candy Company.

Following her marriage to famed midcentury architect Andrew Geller in 1944, Shirley ran a successful part-time clothing design business out of her home. Her work was featured in Mademoiselle Magazine. For years she was also an avid gardener and photographer.

Over the years, Shirley has produced hundreds of paintings and drawings. In 2000 she compiled a large collection of pen-and-ink works that she dubbed "Whimseys" that were produced over a 60 year period.





Shirley Geller Retrospective
November 2010



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So, this is what arrived yesterday:





Still Life
By Shirley Geller 1992



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Today I primarily focus on Shirley and her amazing painting, but one can't ignore the tsunami of talent that courses through her family.

Andrew, Shirley's husband, was a renowned mid-century architect. Gregg, her son, is a significant component in the music industry with remarkable accomplishments. Henry, Shirley's grandson (Gregg's son), is becoming a recognized powerhouse in the music industry with The Slim Kings. Jake, Shirley's grandson (Jamie's son), is an Emmy award winning documentarian with his Mainspring Pictures, Ltd. Tracey, Shirley's daughter-in-law significantly teams with Mainspring productions as a producer, researcher, and photographer. Jamie has had a stellar career in the arts and design since the mid 60s. She also assists with production of Mainspring Pictures, Ltd. She is also a friend extraordinaire. And batten down the hatches as Shirley's two great-granddaughters, Rebecca & Rachel, take on the world of creativity!

The kismet of the whole day seemed to come full circle when a package arrived from Lord & Taylor with beautiful clothing I ordered for Olivia and David's wedding. Andrew Geller, Shirley's husband, designed this iconic logo.






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That's all I've got for now. Time for a little nap. But before I close my eyes, I think I'll let them rest on Shirley's painting for a while.

Thanks so much Jamie for sharing a portion of your family's rich history. I remember your mother with such fondness - so kind and sweet. To have one of her paintings in my home makes me all dreamy-dreamy.


Love.



(Ginny, I promise I'll answer your question tomorrow. *smiles*)