I have drawn my whole life. My parents were in the tapestry restoration business, and as a young girl, I would draw in the missing parts of the tapestry that needed to be rewoven.

The quote by Louise Bourgeois reflects her lifelong connection to drawing and artistry, which began in her childhood. Growing up with parents involved in the tapestry restoration business, Bourgeois was introduced early on to the delicate and detailed work of repairing and recreating damaged art. Her role as a young girl, where she would "draw in the missing parts" of the tapestries, highlights how her artistic skills were nurtured through hands-on experience and family tradition.

The origin of this quote lies in Bourgeois’s personal history and artistic development. As a renowned sculptor and artist, she often drew on her early experiences with textile restoration and craftsmanship in her work. This formative exposure to art restoration shaped her understanding of creativity, precision, and the emotional connection to art as a living process of repair and reinvention.

Bourgeois’s statement also symbolizes a broader theme of healing and transformation through art. The act of drawing missing parts in tapestries can be seen as a metaphor for filling gaps, restoring wholeness, and bringing new life to what was broken or incomplete. It reflects her view of art as a deeply personal and restorative practice.

In summary, Louise Bourgeois’s quote emphasizes her early artistic influences rooted in tapestry restoration and the hands-on drawing experience that helped shape her creative journey. It reveals how her family background and childhood experiences contributed to her lifelong passion for art and expression.