From an Interview with Flavia, Santa Barbara, 2009
I grew up in Los Angeles during the post-depression years. As a child I developed a love of color and design from my mother who was a doll maker. But it was my young uncle, Jack, who sparked my development as an artist. His great love of life led me to see the same wonder and beauty he found in the ordinary, and to share we must remember everything… i try to, it’s all so fragile and precious… the same joy he found in the writings of the great romantic poets.
As a child I disliked my name until I learned from Jack that I was named after a princess in a book. I was embarrassed that we lived in a house beside an alley, across the street from a tire factory, until I learned from Jack that it didn’t matter where we lived as long as we were a family and loved and cared for each other. I had a thousand dreams inside my heart and thought none of them had a chance, until Jack taught me that if I worked hard and believed in my dreams, I could do anything.
I remember sitting in my grandmother’s fig tree, writing and illustrating my stories, and dreaming my dreams. I knew then that Jack had taught me to see life in a different way, and that he had given me a rare gift. What I didn’t know was that he had changed my life, and that what I had learned from him would directly influence my life’s work.
As a young adult I began to paint because I loved it. I found at my first showing that a passion within me was pushing me to express my feelings through my art, and to share the philosophy I had learned from Jack. From that time on, words literally became an integral part of my paintings. My husband and I began selling my work in the early 1960s at outdoor art fairs and open art exhibits. My work was so very different and I was afraid viewers would reject my openness, but I came to realize that it actually validated what many people felt deep inside—feelings they wanted to hold on to.
For more then 50 years, my work has continued to be my passion. I believe that art is communication—a way of sharing who we are and what we feel. I believe that in this life there are no endings, only beginnings; that our lives are journeys and that we grow from our experience on these journeys. I believe we discover through every heartache how to love more and love better, and that life has hidden gifts in its hands—the greatest of which is love.
Today, as the mother of two grown children, Rick and Lisa, and grandmother to my precious granddaughters Sylvie and Stella Mae and dear grandson, Miguel, I stand proud to know that what began as my dream carries on through their lives. Jack’s legacy of love lives on.
Whether feelings are expressed on a large painting or a small greeting card, whether they are shared through technology or in a passing whisper, words can touch people. The power of care can heal and make a difference in all of our lives and in this world we live in. This is my belief, the faith I hold in the human spirit, and the hope I wish to share with you.
On the passing of our mother, Flavia Weedn, June 10, 2015
Our beloved mother, Flavia Marie Weedn (Register), was born on February 19, 1929 in Los Angeles, CA and became an angel watching over us on June 10, 2015 in Santa Barbara, CA. She was a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, friend, artist, gypsy, poet and philosopher. She was an extraordinary human being and she lived a most wonderful life.
Mama was raised on deep southern values by a humble family rich in love and hope. The depth of their goodness, their belief in God, and their faith in one another shaped the beautiful soul of our mother. She was born not of money, prestige or finery, but of giving and gracious hearts. She loved life with a passion and had a unique way of embracing every moment as a miracle. She never forgot to thank God for small blessings; she knew that in small things there existed great virtues. Mama’s wealth was her capacity to love. Indeed, she was the richest woman among us.
God gave Mama true grace and a classic inner beauty. She was genteel, feminine, tender and real. A deep and free thinker, she was captivating, elegant in her simplicity, and always so filled with wonder. She wore bangles on her wrists and high-top sneakers until her last days here on earth. She found beauty everywhere and in everyone. Mama was brave and unafraid; she understood there was no time to leave words unsaid. She held love in her pocket, always had a story to tell and a heart that would listen uncritically. Her life’s work inspired romances, soothed broken hearts, gave hope to all who needed it most. She was a voice of encouragement and validation; she gave us all permission to feel and to share our feelings not only without shame, but with passion and gratitude. Her voice reminded us that we are never alone. She generously dedicated herself to providing hope to the human spirit and touched the lives of millions all over the world.
In 1954, Mama married our father, Jack Weedn, and together they began their colorful journey. In the early 60s, needing money to pay the rent, Mama gathered used window shades and old pieces of wood to paint on, then sold them on our front lawn. Soon, she and Dad were selling her paintings in street fairs and in art festivals throughout California. In 1963 they opened their first art gallery in Laguna Beach, then Disneyland Hotel, Ports-of-Call, Snowmass at Aspen and Huntington Beach. Throughout the next four decades Mama’s artwork flourished, as did she. She enjoyed one-woman art shows, her work was reproduced on cards, calendars, posters and thousands of home products distributed worldwide. She wrote and published over 75 books; her first children’s book Flavia and the Dream Maker became a sold-out stage play and she never missed a single performance! Giving back meant the world to Mama and she supported and worked with countless caring organizations such as the American Heart Assoc, Child Abuse Listening Mediation (CALM), Bereaved Parents Organizations, National PTA, Women’s Shelters, Rape Crisis Centers, and she wrapped her heart around as many children’s rights organizations as her tireless hands could hold.
Love and family were everything to Mama. We were always what mattered most in her life. She instilled in us a deep appreciation for one another, for all people, and for God. More than anything Mama believed in love. She lived her life sharing that love with all of us. Mama’s spirit sang the song she believed in. She was authentic and true, and it was from her we learned how to find beauty in the ordinary. It was from her we all learned that giving love is life’s greatest gift. She treated us as if we were her finest and most sacred treasures — and she did so unconditionally. She owned this kind of love.
Mama talked to the moon and stars, and shared her thoughts with God as though He were sitting in a chair in our living room. She revered Him and we grew up knowing that God held us in his hands and loved us with all of His heart. If she thought the world was about to end, Mama would have still watered her geraniums and tea roses, and if she couldn’t, she believed there would always be someone who would. She owned this kind of faith. Every day Mama would look up at the sky and tell us she felt certain that something very wonderful was going to happen. Whether or not it ever happened didn’t matter. She always believed it would. And so did we.
Mama is with us always. We thank God she was our mother. We are so grateful for her love, her teachings, for the memories she gave us, and for the blessings that were born during the magical time we shared together. We still own them. We always will. There are no goodbyes, Mama. You always taught us that Love lasts forever; it is the beauty we take with us wherever we go.
In heaven, Mama joins her parents Sylvia and Flavil Register, brother Bill Register, best friend and husband of 45 years Jack Weedn, their first two sons, and so many loved ones. Those of us here on earth will forever carry on her rich legacy of love. On behalf of her son Richard Weedn, daughter Lisa Weedn, grandchildren Sylvie Gilbert, Stella Weedn, and Miguel Weedn, sister Judy Kohler (Erick), sister-in-laws Deloris Register and Betty Hosie (Bernard), beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and many many kindred souls whom she so adored, we offer our gratitude in Flavia’s own words…”If I could sit across the porch from God, I’d thank him for lending me you.”
A private celebration of Flavia’s life will take place in late July. In lieu of flowers, she would want you to embrace every minute of this wonderful life, and to reach out to those closest to your heart and tell them how very much they are loved.
Rest in peace, Mama. We know you’re dancing with the angels.
History of Flavia's Art and Cards
(Coming soon)
