Wilanna Bristow

Born in Port Arthur, Texas on September 9, 1934, Wilanna and her family moved to Lockhart, Texas, where she spent the remainder of her childhood. When she was four years old, her mother sat her down at the family sewing machine. She took to it as if she'd always known how to sew. Rummaging through her grandmother's collection of laces, ribbons and fabrics, she fashioned doll clothes that were one-of-a-kind.

As she grew, it became clear that Wilanna had a talent for drawing, so her mom drove her weekly from her hometown of Lockhart (world famous for its barbeque) to San Marcos, Texas, for art lessons. Well, the dye was cast. She graduated from the The University of Texas in 1957 with a double major in Art and Art History.

Wilanna moved to San Antonio as a young woman, worked as a fashion illustrator for Frost Bros., married an artist, Bill Bristow, and gave birth to her daughter, Elizabeth Ann. At this time, between feedings, Wilanna taught herself embroidery ("bordado"). Eventually, she taught others, becoming known internationally as "Embroideries by Wilanna," lecturing widely for the Embroiderers' Guild of America. Wilanna was passionate about teaching the ancient art of embroidery, and delighted in spending time in her studio creating new designs.

She never tired of sharing her enthusiasm and skills with her students. She continued expanding her expertise at Ecole Lesage in Paris, where she learned techniques in ribbon embroidery. Her career also included embroidery for couture designs for private clients. A portfolio of her designs is in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, and she is included in the Archives of American Art of Washington, D.C. Pretty good for a country girl from Lockhart, Texas! Her applique stitchery murals are in the Board Rooms of Firstmark Credit Union, the Broadway National Bank and in The Copper Coin, the employees' lunch room, in San Antonio's downtown Frost National Bank.

Banners on the Lives of Famous Women hang in the refectory of St. Mary's Hall and a mural, "The Tree of Life," resides in St. Mary's Montessori School. Many of her works are in private collections throughout the nation. Wilanna is survived by her husband of 53 years, William Bristow; her daughter, Elizabeth Bristow Krouse and husband, Pierce and granddaughter, Anna Marie Krouse, of Austin.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Stonebrook Manor. Friends and family are invited to a visitation from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm on Monday, January 2, 2012 at Porter Loring Mortuary on McCullough Avenue.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

TUESDAY

JANUARY 3, 2012

2:00 P.M.

ST. DAVID'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

1300 WILTSHIRE

Reception to follow at the church after service.

A private interment will be held in Lockhart, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: The Embroiders' Guild of America, Inc., 1355 Bardstown Road, Suite 157, Louisville, KY 40204; http://www.egausa.org/html/give.html