Luvenia Montgomery Robbins Carter
About the Artist
This fabric portrait was created by Fran Rudolph, an Elder Artist born on August 12, 1953, in Mobile, Alabama, the eldest of nine siblings. At the tender age of 7, Fran was the only one who relocated to Los Angeles, California, to live with her aunt. Her first memory of that transition was standing in Union Station, watching people walk around—"What a shock!" She can't even remember the train ride.
Reflecting on her childhood, Fran often thinks about the "wasted time" without hobbies. Her summers were spent at Exposition Park, listening to Beatles 45s with friends, or reading "hotrod" books in the back seat of her mother's car. Though she had a wonderful childhood as an only child in California, teachers said she did just enough to get by—playing outside was everything to her.
Her creative journey began in adulthood when sewing became a genuine interest. She took garment construction classes in junior college, then shifted to quilting and other homemade crafts. Deep down, Fran loves to learn and is always interested in doing something new. When the opportunity for the Improvisational Fabric Portrait Art workshop came along, she was eager to start this new learning curve.
About the Subject
This portrait honors Luvenia Montgomery Robbins Carter, Fran's grandmother—a woman who will forever be in her heart. The piece represents not just family heritage but the deep connection between generations, preserving the memory and legacy of a beloved grandmother through the art of fabric portraiture. This work gives Luvenia "her place in her story," ensuring her memory and influence continue to inspire.
About the Artwork
Creating this improvisational fabric portrait taught Fran valuable lessons about the creative process. The improvisational art form is complex due to the numerous possibilities for achieving an outcome, and deep soul-searching is necessary to create favorable effects on the subject being created. This class taught her that she needed to overcome impatience and the eagerness to rush through a project.
In addition to soul searching, Fran discovered that contemplation is necessary in this art form. For someone who grew up without hobbies and "just enough" motivation, this portrait represents a profound transformation—a woman who now loves to learn, always seeks something new, and has found another creative outlet through Gary's instruction. This piece is both a tribute to her grandmother and a testament to Fran's own creative evolution.