I put it in the sunlight on my table, then hung it on the wall. I sat on the floor with it, then stood over it. I pulled out lots of different fabric, then finished a short story in the New Yorker while eating lunch. I went back into my studio and sat with it on the floor again. I didn’t think about what kind of border it should have, I didn’t think of colors, I didn’t even ask it what it wanted to be, I just sat with it.
Then I moved some fabric around and I just knew it was right. Not that I didn’t have my doubts, but the other part, the part of me that said,” it’s a bit off…it’s just right”, that’s the part I listened to. I was trying to pay attention, trying to remember how it felt so I would know for next time, so I could write about it.
When I think about it now, it’s not the critical part of my brain, the part that makes the decision. That part never thinks it’s good. I’m not sure what part of my brain the decision comes from, maybe it’s not my brain at all. It’s more of a feeling.
And I also know now the border is not separate from the piece, it’s a part of it. I always thought of it as something else, like a frame or a mat on a photo or painting. But with this piece I can see for the first time, how integral it is to the whole. It’s always been this way, I just didn’t know it.
I tend to forget a piece after I’ve made it, I wonder if I’ll forget this one. The one where I became aware of the process, aware of the piece as a whole.
Fear Steals Your Truth
Sleeping in my Power
I can’t Put a Pony In My pocket
ask a Question
Fear Steals Your Truth is sold.
I’ve always seen your borders as so much a part of your pieces (particularly your streaming pieces) and marveled at how organically they seem to flow from the piece. Whatever part of you that is making those choices, it is working beautifully!
This is absolutely beautiful Maria. I think it’s one of my favorites you’ve crafted. My favorite was the hanging that spoke of Rose right after she died. This talks to me about Rocky and all the feelings that are out there. It is beautiful. It is healing.
Obviously enlightening to you also! Who ever has this should treasure it’s beauty and meaning. 🙂
I was so unsure about this piece Cindy, but I’m gaining confidence. I never finished the Rose piece, It’s still waiting though, I’ll get to it when it’s right.
Truly inspired, Maria. You offer so many life lessons through your work and sharing it in this place. For so many years, I let the voices overwhelm and then stifle my creativity.
Thank you!
I did the same Marcia, it feels great to let the creativity flow doesn’t it?
This is such a beautiful color combination – I love the teal/turquoise border especially. Gorgeous!!
I love how the blue border pulls the blue threads to the forefront of the piece. It’s a perfect combination!
I love that you share the thinking with us – I would look at the piece and (not being artistic myself) and think that you knew eactly what the end product would be before you even began. But, now that I’ve read your post, I see that it’s much more organic than that. Thanks for sharing, Maria.
It is an amazing piece of art, I love the colors, I love the tiny borders inside and outside the big border. you listened to the right part of your brain/heart!!! Annie
So much to look at and absorb. Beautiful.
A beautiful piece!