Ordinary/ Extraordinary Women

A Portrait Series 20 Years in the making!

Honoring the extraordinary achievements of women in the ordinary context of their lives.

In 2004 I created a portrait to honor a very special woman. Her name was Ruth Spring and she was 92 years old. 
Ruth was a naturalist, landscape painter, organic gardener and an inspiration to all who knew her.
Inspired by my experience creating this portrait, I chose fifteen other women who have been part of my life, that I wished to honor. The sixteenth and last portrait in the series is a depiction of myself. It incorporates left over materials from all the previous portraits, since I feel all these women are a part of me in some way. The portraits are all larger than life, as that is how I see these women.

The portraits are all hand hooked in the Traditional Rug Hooking Technique and incorporate other textile techniques as well. They are created using recycled wool (mainly from discarded clothing) and new white wool that I hand dye. Clothing from friends and family are also incorporated into some of the portraits.

Photos: The Ordinary/ Extraordinary Women exhibit at Silvermine Galleries, New Canaan, Connecticut 2025.

Click here to see the online catalogue produced by Silvermine.

Limited edition book:

The book is 8” X 10”, 156 pages, and a collaboration between many talented people. Inside there are professional photos of the portraits, a written biography of each woman (written by a close woman friend or relative of that person) and photographs of each woman in their surroundings. I accept payment by personal check and PayPal.

Please email me (liz@lizalpertfay.com) if you are interested in purchasing a copy.
Please also send your address so I can tell you the cost plus shipping. Quantities are limited!