Usually, my 2007 embroidered piece, Self Portrait: A Personal History of Fashion is on display in its semi-permanent home at the Woods Hole Library, but this year it will be on view at the Upcountry History Museum in Greenville, SC as part of my exhibit, Salley Mavor: Social Fabric, April 3 – Sept. 11, 2021.
It’s been a while since Self Portrait was featured in my very first blog post in 2009, so I thought I’d revisit it today.
An old acquaintance wrote to tell me that three generations of her family enjoyed seeing my work at the Cahoon Museum. She especially wanted me to know that her 4 year old granddaughter was so taken with my self portrait that they couldn’t tear her away. For little Emma, seeing the progression of dolls opened up the concept of growing up, which led to her asking lots of questions. I love hearing accounts like this, because it reaffirms my intention to make art for all ages, whether it’s book illustration or stand alone embroidered pieces like this one.
Self Portrait note card 
Poster – Self Portrait
Note cards and an 18″ x 20″ poster of the Self Portrait
is available in my shop here.
This piece seems to resonate with a lot of people whose lives parallel the same time period. I can’t tell you how many women remark that they had an alpaca poncho, too! As well as clothing memories, we all have a personal soundtrack that goes with different times in our lives. This video is a nostalgic tour through fashion and music that my husband Rob and I put together. At the end, there’s a list of the music.
I made the piece for a self-portrait themed invitational exhibition in 2007. It shows a spiral of dolls, one for each year, starting with my birth date in the center. Each figure is dressed in an outfit I would have worn that year, taken from memories, family photos or imagination. The figures range from 1 in. to 3 1/2 in. and are variations of the wee folk and fairy dolls in my how-to book, Felt Wee Folk.
Since I made many of my own clothes, I remember the fabrics and clothing styles. They are recreated here with smaller scale fabric and embroidered wool felt. My husband, Rob, appears the year we were married and my sons, Peter and Ian, are included through the years when they were little and physically connected to me. The tatting around the outside of the circle was made over 100 years ago by my late grandmother, Louise Salley Hartwell. The wool felt spiral in color gradation is mounted on upholstery fabric, which I embellished with multicolored french knots.
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SALLEY MAVOR 
Dear Salley, I love this portrait, just love it. I can’t imagine the work behind it, but the result is priceless. Thank you!
This should be an advertisement to sell your Self Portrait Poster – as a Christmas gift from a grandmother for grandchildren! or a Christmas gift for a grandmother of our generation to introduce her grandchildren to her own life.
I am going to order at least two … (I have one already for myself)
Oh dear! I went to your shop to order two more Self Portrait posters, and find there are none for sale any more! It was SUCH a good idea for at least two friends for Christmas (and ever after)… Maybe you could possibly get more made for me to give as birthday presents!
Yes Usha, they’re all sold. I’m sorry to say that there are no plans to reprint.
I was fortunate to view your exhibits in Lowell and Cotuit recently. I highly recommend seeing your work in person. The stitching is wonderful and there is such imagination in all of the work. My husband hadn’t seen Liberty and Justice and he marveled at the work you and your husband did to bring it to life.
Many thanks!
Salley, this is wonderful. I’ve seen this piece in person a couple of times now, and been so impressed with the concept and the handwork, but somehow, set to music, it went deeper. I felt like I was living it – even though I am a few years older than you. I found tears rolling down my cheeks. I think they started with the appearance of your babes. And continued with the greying of your hair. Fortunately, I see that you are getting better as time goes by! I only hope I am too… Once again, I am inspired by your deep commitment to your work. The “innocent years” were not devoid of content in the least. Thank you for what you do, shining a light on “women’s work”. Elizabeth Stubbs
Thank you for expressing your thoughts so beautifully, Elizabeth. Music + memories = emotions!
Self portrait is one of my favourite posters. Love the close up video, and all the songs I and/or my daughter grew up with!
❤️ your magnum opus!
❤️ your nimble fingers!
❤️ your attention to detail!
❤️ the appearance of grey in your hair!
Thank you for sharing your gifts.
Always amazed by your works of art! Love the sound track.
Maravilloso trabajo
This is just fantastic, Fantastic! I bought your book, Felt Wee Folk, at least a decade ago and have made Wee Folk dolls that tuck into little felt heart pouch necklaces for many nieces and nephews (and, I must confess, for myself too!) I also love the music you chose as accompaniment – I too have a soft spot for singer-songwriter folk music!