Tools & Talismans #44 Louise Fili

As an Italian-American Italophile, I would be hard-pressed to see a day through without using — or at least looking at — these objects that I have gathered (mostly) in Italy. I use my mezzaluna every day, as well as my stork-shaped sewing scissors, and my own double-sided, black-and-red Perfetto pencils. The rest are (mostly red) objects that I keep on my desk for inspiration: my mother’s pasta rolling pin, handed down from her mother; a tiny bottle of Campari Soda, which still uses Fortunato Depero’s original design from 1932; a metal sign for hat-maker Barbisio from the same period; anise-scented school paste, Coccoina; and a beautifully wrapped candy from Torino. Finally, a pin made by my son for my husband, from a caricature of him by Christoph Niemann.

Louise Fili • Italian-American Italophile Designer.

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Tools & Talismans is a personal painting project where I document {in watercolor} the tools and talismans of 100 different women — creators and healers, thinkers and makers, wordsmiths and visionaries. Join me for a year of Tools & Talismans — I'll be sharing a new painting with you every Wednesday.

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