Chantal Guillermet – Time #4
Madeleine 1906–1967
Madeleine was my grandmother’s younger sister.
She always struggled to find her place in society. As was often the case back then, being the youngest in the family, it seemed natural that she would remain unmarried to care for her parents.
However, she was an independent woman and tried to make a living by becoming a beekeeper.
She loved nature and especially birds. This solitary life suited her, but in a country where single women were looked down upon, she struggled to make a living, and her business quickly went under. Eventually she worked as a nurse assistant in a hospital.
She gave me my first book on birds.
For this quilt, I used old fabrics (sheets) that I dyed. The bees were created using a thermofax and then painted over.
I applied a fragment of a map of Tunisia showing the location where she lived. The map is an old edition; I treated it with acrylic wax to reinforce it.
FIFTEEN BY FIFTEEN 
Very nice continuation of your family’s history told in quilts. The way you tell your story is unmistakably Chantal: pastel colors, fine embroidery and use of paper. Love it!
What a coincidence that we both have bees in our pieces this time!
Such intricate detail -love your bees!
This is a lovely tribute to a woman whose life may not have turned out quite as she had hoped.
This is a great addition to your series. The map grounds the sad story and I love the sense of the natural world and of course the bees.
A truly wonderful interpretation of your great Aunt. The colours are harmonious love it. Bravo
A beautiful tribute to an independent woman ahead of her time. The way you aligned the materials with Madeleine’s life story is incredibly moving. Beautifully done!
Your story is very intersting, so different from today’s reality. The bees are wonderful, the idea and the way you made them is wonderful. Regarding the map. I would like to know what it is acrylic wax.
An interesting family story that tells of the constraints of the time.I like the way that you have incorporated old fabrics and a map fragment, as well as the bees, to illustrate your aunt’s way of life.