Marina T -age 71 - Kathleen Cosgrove

Sixty-six years ago, my mother sent me to kindergarten with a small handwoven
blanket of many colors. At “nap time” I would study the elaborate
pattern and trace the yarn, trying to make sense of how each color could
change depending on what color it was next to. To this day I am still
fascinated by color.

Fifty years ago, black boots with big heels and a pretense of self-confidence
could generally get me what I wanted. Traffic would stop when I needed to
cross the street. I always found that strange. I bought my first loom. Loved
it just as much as I thought I would. Started a store, imported looms and
yarns from everywhere in the world and taught people to see what I first
saw in kindergarten. Hundreds of students and thousands of rugs later it
was time to change my career. Work from home to raise my son. That was
thirty years ago.

Still manipulating color in a 2D plane, I became an illustrator, color
continuing to be my best friend. Working alone avoided discrimination and
the harassment I experienced in school. Being self-employed had become a
way of life. Challenging but well worth it. As time rolled on and my son grew
much taller than me, I noticed I was slightly less visible when I went out.
Traffic didn’t stop—it was kind of a relief.

Now, I sometimes find it annoying that I have become almost invisible,
but most of the time I find it liberating. I still love spending time pushing
color around, watching how different colors relate to each other, change with
their juxtapositions, play in their relationships. I paint in my studio, still
creating work that people take home and enjoy. I spend time with my
family, swim and paint with my grandchildren. My first granddaughter is
going to kindergarten next year. I will give her the handwoven blanket I
took with me when I was five.