Margaret's Gift - by Janis Dworkis
Collectors can likely relate to the "vintage savior complex," a concern that if we don't rescue an item, it will be lost to insignificance.
That's the feeling I had when I first discovered the beautiful, broken watercolor painting on the left. I purchased it from Buchanan's Market and restored it with new matting and glass.
It became a gift for life-long dance patron, writer and graphic designer, Janis Dworkis. (Janis Dworkis communications) in exchange, she wrote a "portrait secret," which arrived as a letter in vintage typeface...
"October 24, 1951
My dearest Marian –
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I LOVE the water color. And now that it’s done, I’m so glad you didn’t let me see it while you were sketching because the surprise was so wonderful. You should have heard me scream when I opened the package! You made me look beautiful and strong, Marian. What a gift you have given me! Even the frame is so beautiful.
I am sorry for being such a pill while you were drawing. But you can’t imagine how frustrating it was. “Borrowing” Marybeth’s recital costume was nerve-wracking enough. But having to re-steal it for each of those days – and then not being able to see what you were doing – it was too much for me! If she had found us, you know she would have adored you for being the artist you are – as always. But she would have turned her wrath on me, and Mother would have had to listen to yet another of her nervous breakdowns.
“Mother – just because she’s the baby, you let her get away with everything! Please, won’t you do something with Margaret!”
“Dooooo something . . . . “ Can’t you just hear it?
You know I love Marybeth — we all do. But I have to say that I’m looking forward to the wedding. I can’t wait until they’re married so John can take that girl away from here! When she has a baby or two of her own, she’ll have something else to do besides torture me. And if I know John Hammond – remember how horrible he was that winter when he tried to trap us in the Christmas tree fort! – he’ll want those babies coming fast and furious. You know it’s true, Marian. Just between you and me, it’s a good thing they’re getting married this year so she doesn’t turn up pregnant BEFORE the wedding! (Are you rolling your eyes right this minute? I can just see you.)
Of course, I do have one problem. If I hang the picture on the wall in my room, everyone will know I stole Marybeth’s costume for the occasion! So here’s my plan: I am going to keep it in a box under my bed for now. Please don’t be hurt by this. Every single night, I will take it out and kiss it. That will be my goodnight kiss to you, now that you’re a college girl and we can’t have our nightly hug — at least not until Thanksgiving. And please don’t forget to bring your portfolio home with you. I want to see every single thing you’ve been working on.
Before I go to bed I’ll wipe the kiss off the glass and put my beautiful picture back in its box until the next night. Then when I leave for State — IF Mother and Father ever let me go — I will take the picture with me for my dorm room. You know Marybeth will never come visit me, so that won’t be a problem. I do love it so much.
Marian, you are the sweetest and most talented sister anyone could ever have. I know you will become a great painter and illustrator and your art will be on the cover of the New Yorker!
Say hello to your roommates for me – and find out if any of them have any tall brothers. I swear I will find a way to come visit you this year!
I could never thank you enough for the most beautiful gift in the world.
Your best (and luckiest) sister,
Margaret
P.S. Marian, now that I’ve told you how much I LOVE the picture, and I truly do – I have to ask you one question. What happened with the shoes??? Were you working on the shoes when Frank called? Was that when he called? You painted a ballet shoe on my left foot and a pointe shoe on the right — but with only half the ribbon. You probably think I’m dreaming this up – but I am not and you’ll see it for yourself at Thanksgiving. But don’t worry – that will only make my painting worth millions more once you’re famous!
XOXOXO"
That's the feeling I had when I first discovered the beautiful, broken watercolor painting on the left. I purchased it from Buchanan's Market and restored it with new matting and glass.
It became a gift for life-long dance patron, writer and graphic designer, Janis Dworkis. (Janis Dworkis communications) in exchange, she wrote a "portrait secret," which arrived as a letter in vintage typeface...
"October 24, 1951
My dearest Marian –
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I LOVE the water color. And now that it’s done, I’m so glad you didn’t let me see it while you were sketching because the surprise was so wonderful. You should have heard me scream when I opened the package! You made me look beautiful and strong, Marian. What a gift you have given me! Even the frame is so beautiful.
I am sorry for being such a pill while you were drawing. But you can’t imagine how frustrating it was. “Borrowing” Marybeth’s recital costume was nerve-wracking enough. But having to re-steal it for each of those days – and then not being able to see what you were doing – it was too much for me! If she had found us, you know she would have adored you for being the artist you are – as always. But she would have turned her wrath on me, and Mother would have had to listen to yet another of her nervous breakdowns.
“Mother – just because she’s the baby, you let her get away with everything! Please, won’t you do something with Margaret!”
“Dooooo something . . . . “ Can’t you just hear it?
You know I love Marybeth — we all do. But I have to say that I’m looking forward to the wedding. I can’t wait until they’re married so John can take that girl away from here! When she has a baby or two of her own, she’ll have something else to do besides torture me. And if I know John Hammond – remember how horrible he was that winter when he tried to trap us in the Christmas tree fort! – he’ll want those babies coming fast and furious. You know it’s true, Marian. Just between you and me, it’s a good thing they’re getting married this year so she doesn’t turn up pregnant BEFORE the wedding! (Are you rolling your eyes right this minute? I can just see you.)
Of course, I do have one problem. If I hang the picture on the wall in my room, everyone will know I stole Marybeth’s costume for the occasion! So here’s my plan: I am going to keep it in a box under my bed for now. Please don’t be hurt by this. Every single night, I will take it out and kiss it. That will be my goodnight kiss to you, now that you’re a college girl and we can’t have our nightly hug — at least not until Thanksgiving. And please don’t forget to bring your portfolio home with you. I want to see every single thing you’ve been working on.
Before I go to bed I’ll wipe the kiss off the glass and put my beautiful picture back in its box until the next night. Then when I leave for State — IF Mother and Father ever let me go — I will take the picture with me for my dorm room. You know Marybeth will never come visit me, so that won’t be a problem. I do love it so much.
Marian, you are the sweetest and most talented sister anyone could ever have. I know you will become a great painter and illustrator and your art will be on the cover of the New Yorker!
Say hello to your roommates for me – and find out if any of them have any tall brothers. I swear I will find a way to come visit you this year!
I could never thank you enough for the most beautiful gift in the world.
Your best (and luckiest) sister,
Margaret
P.S. Marian, now that I’ve told you how much I LOVE the picture, and I truly do – I have to ask you one question. What happened with the shoes??? Were you working on the shoes when Frank called? Was that when he called? You painted a ballet shoe on my left foot and a pointe shoe on the right — but with only half the ribbon. You probably think I’m dreaming this up – but I am not and you’ll see it for yourself at Thanksgiving. But don’t worry – that will only make my painting worth millions more once you’re famous!
XOXOXO"