In a time of lunacy—social and political
unrest, environmental disaster and general turmoil—I could not help but look to
“wisdom” as a source of inspiration for this year’s holiday gift. Let 2012 be
filled with clarity, nobility and a healthy helping of humor.
These three wise men were pulled out of the
tradition of Bethlehem, fitted with skate skis (an homage to our Mr. Duffy’s
favorite sport) and placed in a more familiar landscape—the North Woods of
Minnesota.
I loved creating an artful image on an
uncommon, if not unfamiliar surface. The use of felt was inspired by Joseph
Beuys’ Filzpostkarte, replicating a similar surface, gauge and color—and
silkscreened to boot. The industrial material is held together with a simple
whipstitch, a whimsical memory from my childhood and a bookbinding technique I
learned in school. Each hand-sewn piece is intended to be both artful and
useful.
Our tradition began 27 years ago with an
idea and a bottle of wine. Each year since, the designers who have been invited
to design the Duffy holiday message know it’s a reward for doing great work
year round. My first Duffy bottle was created in 1998; line figures bringing to
life a chorus in a snowy panorama. I guess you could say I’m enamored with our
powdery landscape and it’s a shared theme within this year’s cozy—hopefully a
welcome addition to our wine holiday tradition.