Musings On Thanksgiving & How Hermes Scarf Madison Ave. By Kermit Oliver Relates to My Thankful Musings

Many people in America will celebrate a special holiday this week. Our children in school have been learning all about the "pilgrims" who came to this great land, and stopped for a moment in time to be grateful, and to share and show their gratitude with the Native American people who now permitted them sanctuary on these shores.

Looking back over this past year on my personal life, and the lives of people across this vast land I realize that for many thinking of things to be grateful for may prove very difficult this up coming Thursday. But I am reminded of words my mother continued to speak almost daily during her last year as she lost her battle with cancer.

I would be driving her to her chemo therapy appointments and she would suddenly turn to me as we looked out and enjoyed the changing leaves of fall on the trees planted on the parkway we took the medical center. She would turn and say "You know DeNice, we are very blessed...", and I would always stop and think for a moment how strong she was to be going through what she was enduring, and to still see each new day as a day filled with blessings of some sort if we but opened our eyes.

All over the world finances are in turmoil, people who saved lifetimes are now watching stock markets tumble to the ground. People who worked for most of their lives for major companies are now either without a job, or worried that the doors will close tomorrow. People who realized the dream of home ownership are now watching those dreams fade away to dust. People with children are worrying how will they continue to to keep them clothed, fed and housed. And many will ask themselves "Thankful, what can I possibly be thankful for???"

In 1620, a group of people left the only home they had ever known, aboard a ship to travel over 3000 miles to a land they had never seen. Their trip was perilous, the sea was beset by storms. They did not turn back. When they landed, on these shores it was the middle of winter. Many were already very weak from their hazardous 2 month voyage. The local Native people shared their knowledge with people who today would be called "illegal aliens". They helped them to survive, to flourish, and to establish the beginnings of what would the first of many colonies to come. Colonies which would develop into the land that I call home today.

This great land has gone thorough many changes since those days, some for the better, and some we as citizens have lived to regret and to learn from the mistakes made all along the way. But we are blessed, we are blessed that those early pilgrims did not turn back, we are blessed that they felt led by faith to make the journey, we are blessed that they were befriended by a people whom they could not even communicate with, we are blessed that those living here first allowed them to live amongst them.

And today we are blessed, because we still have leaders who have asked to lead, who will not give up, we are blessed because others in history traveled to this land also to make it what it is today. We are blessed because today technology, connects us to others far far away and makes the world seem smaller. It is for all of this and much much more I will be grateful this Thanksgiving, I will be grateful for all of those who came before so that I could live so blessed.

Kermit Oliver's Madison Ave. to me speaks to the rich bounty of this great land, the flowers, the animals, the people, those here now, and those from the past. The title when standing alone, may speak of material things, but Oliver's painting makes us realize what is truly valuable. He contrasts true wealth, with what is perceived wealth or bounty. He leaves it up to us to decide.

I hope you enjoy the video exploration, and I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving

The song is a Native American piece called "Mahk Jchi (Heartbeat Drum Song)"
Written by Pura Fe, Soni, Jen. Saponi translation by Lawrence Dunmore. Performed by Ulali: Pura Fe, Soni, Jen. Album: Music for the Native Americans

Saponi translation:

Mahk jchi tahm buooi yahmpi gidi

Mahk jchi taum buooi kan spewa ebi

Mahmpi wah hoka yee monk

Tahond tani kiyee tiyee Gee we-me eetiyee

Nanka yaht yamoonieah wajitse

The words translate to English as:

A hundred years have passed Yet I hear the distant beat of my father's drums.

I hear his drums throughout the land.

His beat I feel within my heart.

The drum shall beat so my heart shall beat.

And I shall live a hundred thousand years.

Musings On Madison Ave.

No this post is not what you think it is about...

It is another photo exploration this time of Kermit Oliver's design Madison Ave. released in limited release in 2000 to celebrate the opening of the Madison Ave. Hermes. There were much whispersings and groans throughout the world of people who know what an Hermes scarf is this past week due to the unforeseen coincidence that Hermes held their New York Sample Sale and it opened the very day that Washington began serious discussions on the "economic crisis". Collectors flock in droves to this sale, and nothing save an atomic bomb could probably stop them. But there are those who scrutinized, shook their heads and wagged their fingers in disbelief. A great quote from one collector is that they "...just don't get it..."

What's not to get is that it is about art and artistry. Stop for a moment and try to figure out a time or place where mankind stopped it's appreciation for art, or the use of art to explain his view of his world to another. I can't think of of one I have tried. There is much that has taken place in history itself that the only account we have of the event is due to the art of another.

Hermes is art.

One wonderful example is the Madison Ave. scarf. Kermit Oliver takes us on a journey that includes the fact that our existence here and now even on Madison Ave. is indelibly linked to those who were here before, be it the flora and fauna or our indigenous peoples. The native maiden sleeps and as she sleeps she dreams...

Madison Ave. Dreams

Musings on "Give me your tired..." of How to tie the not so perfect scarf perfectly...

A few years ago a friend who knows that the scarf design closest to my heart is "Fauna et Flore du Texas", gave me ( I say gave because the price for which she parted it to me, was nearly free) a Texas Wildlife that had reached her in a state other than described in an eBay listing.

The scarf was beautiful but it had some little holes near the hem of one edge. My friend feared that they were moth holes, I suspect that it had been chewed in a zipper. But it was after all a Texas, ( I own more Texas Wildlife than any other design it truly is very close to my heart, and I wear them a lot) and I believed that the damage was not the scarf's fault it still deserved to be loved and cared for as any other. (Actually I end up wearing this one more than all of the others, because I don't have to worry that something might happen to him.)

Many collectors have those pieces in their collections, that were not cared for properly by previous owners, and are always looking for ways to tie them to hide the imperfections.

Well today again I got out my tried and true Oliver Holy Turkey to wear to a doctor's appointment this morning. Allergies are leaving me feeling drained and blue, and I needed a scarf that would make me feel not so punky. My Turkey came through with shining colors.

As I was tying him on this morning I happen to realize that I was using my perfected plisse knot with still another carre. This caused me to pause and realize that this is the perfect knot for hiding any imperfections and still go on enjoying a scarf that deserves to be enjoyed.

Musings On Collectible Hermes Scarves

An Hermes scarf is collectible simply because it is an Hermes scarf. But having collected them over the years it is interesting to watch the trends regarding those that collect them. Recently (within the last 2 years) we have watched one particular scarf rise in it's resale value tremendously. That scarf is "Rencontre Ocean" by the artist Annie Faivre. Oringinaly the scarf sold for somewhere in the neighborhood of $300.00 to purchase a new one. Recently ebay resales have seen the price go for anywhere between $600.00 to a recently listing of $1200.00.


The design is beautiful, and Annie Faivre is a much beloved artist for many a collector. But to try to answer as to why this particular design has risen in value the way it has, is a hard question to answer. The design has never been reproduced as of yet. (Hermes has reproduced other popular designs for a second issue) And so the collector who wants to own one is left to venture to the resale market.

In recent years we have seen other scarves become the rage of the resale market, "Cave Felem" and "Pavements" used to consistently bring between $450.00 and $550.00, and collectors stood amazed. But they did not stay as long on the rave list as Recontre Oceane has been doing. All of these were commercial seasonal issued scarves. They were not limited special edition pieces, and they were from fairly recent years in the Hermes history.

Kermit Oliver's "Madison Avenue" done for the reopening of the Madison Ave. store had a very limited release, was only sold at that store. And the full color version consistently resells for anywhere between $700.00 to $1200.00 on the resale market.



Recently a well known seller and collector offered a "TROIS-MOUSQUETAIRES" on ebay for a buy it now of $599.99. Not a bad deal when you consider that in the past it has usually brought between $500.00 and over $700.00. This design had a very limited production, was a special edition for a cognac company, and was originally created by Phillipe Ledoux one of the most prolific artist in Hermes history. The design was started by Ledoux, but he became too ill to complete it, as it was produced near his death. His nephew completed the design and the scarf is signed by both artists.


This highly collectible scarf did not sell in the recently listing and was later relisted at a lower price.

So answering the question regarding what makes one design more highly collected over another is a very difficult question. And there really is not definitive answer as to why "Recontre Oceane" continues to dominate the resale market. It is fun to watch the trends go in and out, but we maybe waiting a long time before the rave desire for "Recontre Oceane" deminishes.

One Knot Three Scarves - A Good Basic Knot For Any Silk Scarf

There was a knot that we discussed and tried in the scarf groups a while back called the "Friendship Knot". It can be found by searching the web. Although it is a beautiful and interesting knot, many found it difficult to tie on a whim.

I was playing around with a chiffon GM one day feeling a bit rushed to get it tied and be on my way. I discovered a quick variation on the "Friendship Knot" theme, but much easier, and faster to accomplish. I don't have a name for it, as it is simply what happened when I flipped one end of the scarf this way, then that and was done.

The good thing about this knot is it is very versatile. I have often heard others say that they do not wear GM (the larger 54 x 54 inch) scarves because they are shorter in stature and feel they do not know what to do with all of the fabric. This knot solves that problem. It also works well for oblong scarves that are not square as well as the regular carre size.

Here is how it is accomplished:

If using a square scarf first start with a basic bias fold. Hold with one end slightly longer than the other end. With the longer end pinch a loop.


Then bring the un-pinched end over the top of the loop you made by pinching.

Coming down across the loop, bring that same end up against you and through the top of the opening at your neck.

Now bring that end up, over and down into the center of the pinched loop.

Pull tight and straighten to adjust. And Voila!

I have found that this knot is also great for when you think it might just be too warm to wear a scarf, as it can be tied so that it keeps a lot of the fabric away from the front of your neck. It hangs nicely and even creates a little cooling flutter.

Kermit Oliver & Les Cheyennes For Hermes

I believe that I have mentioned before that Kermit Oliver is my absolute favorite artist. Sometimes I find myself discovering a whole new appreciation for a piece that I have had for awhile, quite simply by getting it out and wearing it again.

Recently this happened for me with Mr. Oliver's "Les Cheyennes". The scarf here is titled "Plumes de L'Ouest". (Supposedly the name was changed due to complaints registered by the Native American Nation for which the original piece was named) I will always think of the design as Les Cheyennes.

When I first viewed the works of Mr. Oliver I did not know anything really about the artist as a person. (Who he was, where he came from...) I just knew that I was incredibly drawn to his work. The use of light, the deeply personal administration of each portrayal. Every character, every animal depicted has a unique personality that seems to speak from the piece. There is always a serene, quiet animation going on. Color abounds so that you are drawn in to notice the uniqueness of every stroke.

I was fortunate enough to acquire a copy of "Notes from a Child's Odyssey: The Art of Kermit Oliver". All families have their oral traditions, colorful stories handed down through the generations of ancestors who struggled to carve out their own existence so that we might have the futures we have today. I feel fortunate to have been given a glimpse into the colorful ancestral past of Mr. Oliver. From the courageous figure of Jesse Oliver (Kermit Oliver's Grandfather) who drowned while helping a fellow rancher move cattle to safety from an approaching storm. To Katherine Oliver (Kermit Oliver's Mother) who strictly raised her four sons with values and morals. While also giving her time and energy to civic needs within her community. Participating, and volunteering in organizations to preserve and enhance the community for future generations.

Peter Marzio, Director of the Houston Museum of Fine Arts writes in the forward to "Notes from a Child's Odyssey..."

"Kermit Oliver is a realist who shows us a world we have never seen..."

And what a world it is! I find it so easy to simply get lost in the designs he has done for Hermes. I explore each piece and with each exploration I discover something new in the journey. Deeper and deeper I am drawn into that world each time, and always so gratful for the gift of this view.

And that was how it was again while wearing Cheyennes recently. The quite and proud Native stands there with his beautiful mount, and faithful dog who glances out possibly looking for one of those rabbits that Mr. Oliver and his brother chased as young boys. Here in this quiet place so richly full of color and teaming with life.