Living Legends
My grandmother, Elva (Johnson) Fischette
AKA Nonny has been a significant inspiration throughout my life. She’s a living legend at the spry age of 98 years old. Nonny is my style icon and original trendsetter for the “coastal grandma” vibe.
She always instilled an appreciation for art since as long as I can remember. Her home was always full of treasures. Nonny had an all leopard-print-everything room. From the picture frames to pillows, and the closet to boot! Sunflowers are also a staple archetype of Nonny. These sunny flowers adorn her lifestyle. I loved playing dress up in her funky clothes. She had albums full of Polaroid pictures. She taught me to admire the details. Nonny’s commitment to lifelong learning and expanding her worldview inspires me to keep growing as an artist and educator.
My mother, Andrea (Dede) Fischette Rumph
My mother is a constant inspiration. My mom is a boundless well of creativity. Growing up, I watched in awe as she magically made so many different things. She truly curated each of the houses we’ve ever lived in to feel like “home”. Her decorations changed seasonally, complete with handmade trinkets.
My mom taught me to utilize nature as our canvas. I remember creating homemade ornaments with her when I was young; made of pine cones, acorns, milkweed pods, and whatever else we could forage. I keep this tradition alive today as I make oyster shell ornaments every year for my family instead of buying gifts.
Now, my mom’s favorite medium of choice is knitting. She knits like it’s her job! Well, it practically is— since she’s a grandma to six beloved grandchildren and many more kids who are not related but lovingly call her “Grandma Dede”. The world would truly be a colder place without Grandma Dede. My mother instilled a passion for creating, using art as therapy to deal with life’s difficulties, and patience to inspire the children of our future.
Matching shawls knitted by ‘Grandma Dede’.
A Gallery Dedicated to the Dearly Departed
Chris Rumph
My dad, Christopher C. Rumph was my biggest fan. He was very creative in his own right: he would dream up ideas and build them with his own hands the very next day. He taught me how to see the world, conceptualize ideas, & scale my perspective. After (barely) graduating from high school, he started his own construction business at the young age of 18. He built his company from the foundation up (literally). He made many connections along the way. My dad’s business became successful because of his intuitive nature, unique sense of humor, dedication to his craft, attention to detail, and genuine care.
"Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly" -Frida Kahlo
His spirit left the physical world on an auspicious day: the fall equinox (September 22, 2017). As I opened the window in our home where my father passed away peacefully surrounded by family, monarch butterflies greeted me. I believe his spirit lives on in the form of a butterfly; able to fly free and be with us everywhere (sometimes showing up in the most unexplainable places!) The monarch appears in a lot in my artwork and represents his undying love.
I strive to live in the light of his legacy every day.
Photo of my dad, shot by my Pop Pop (sometime in the 1970s).
A watercolor of a treehouse my father built for us growing up.
My dad’s business cards:
Inspired by his favorite artist; Pablo Picasso. (Photo reference derived from Pop Pop’s darkroom photograph, shown above)
My dad and I, the morning after my big sister’s wedding (2004).
My parents (ages 19 & 20) on their honeymoon in Jamaica.
Pop Pop's Portfolio
I never got to meet my Pop Pop, Jules Fischette (my mother’s father). He passed away in 1982, before I was born. Jules’ family was straight off the boat from Italy. He worked as a commercial photographer in New York City during the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Jules had the unique opportunity to work as the photographer on sailboats and travel to exotic places during that time: Iceland and Caribbean Islands. He shot advertisements for Old Spice, Avon, and more (see magazine clippings that Nonny saved). There is no doubt that his creative energy and adventurous lifestyle perpetuated our lineage.
Pop Pop's business cards.
Advertisements that my grandfather shot.
And now, to live my legacy...
Southwestern College (Santa Fe, NM) Archetypal Psychology Presentation (June 2017)