It was the most unsatisfying day in my studio. I’ve been out of my studio for a while and my head was just not in that creative place. The first hour or so I walked in circles, trying to figure out what to do. Then I gave that up and took a walk in the woods with Fate. The walk centered me and cleared my head.
And it was so beautiful out, I stayed out a little longer. Brushing Chloe and the donkeys then Lunging Chloe, while Fate kept an eye on the sheep.
When I got back to work I knew what I wanted to do.
I laid the quilt that I started over two weeks ago, made from the scraps that Hannah gave me, on the floor. I had an idea of what I wanted to do next. But when I tried it, it wasn’t right. I don’t know how long it took me to find the black fabric that used to be a dress to go around the blue. It felt like hours.
And that’s as far as I got, all day.
My studio’s a mess, I pulled so much fabric off the shelves trying to figure out what to do next.
I quit at 5:30. Nothing was right.
Maybe this is as far as I’ll get. Too small to be a quilt, maybe this is a big wallhanging.
Whatever it is, I can’t look at it anymore tonight. I’m trusting in the morning.
It’s beautiful and reminds me of the beginning of Spring. You know how when you’re walking down a path or a street, and there a still a few patches of snow around, so they really jump out at you? That’s exactly the feeling I get when I look at your piece. Amazing and wonderful!
Oh yes Renate, I can certainly see that. And now I remember that when I first made it snow was on my mind. I’m seeing this quilt speaks to many different things.
It’s beautiful! See what it speaks to you in the morning…maybe you’ll keep adding fabric in a square to the outside and make it big enough to be a quilt…either way…it reflects your fabulous talent! Thx for sharing!
Maria, good work. The colors are pleasing and it all blends nicely. This is a softer side of your work and embraceable. It would work well as a lap robe for the couch. It is lovely.
I see a dark surround of outer space, turning into a blue sky, and then an up-close, perhaps microscopic view, of seemingly random (but really highly organized) particles going about the very important business of life.
What do you see?!?!
(Happy 2016!)
Oh that’s a perfect description Jonne. And it plays right into the book about Alexander Von Humboldt that I just finished reading. I kept seeing it as a modernist painting but when I added the fabric to it that I did today, it was thinking of calling it Cosmos after one of Humboldt’s books. Because it made me think of the inner and outer worlds. Just as you said.
We all have days like this – but you know to trust your first, best instincts, Maria. I love this quilt, though, and would be very interested in purchasing it. Please let me know!
Thanks Tara. I added on to it today, and I still am thinking about putting adding a small border onto what I’ve already done. But let me know if you’re still interested when you see the finished piece. thanks!
I know each piece has to appeal to it’s creator, but Maria I have to say that I absolutely LOVE what I see! I would hang this in a moment. Let me know if it is a piece I could purchase.
Thanks Linda, I’ve done some more work on it today so you may change how you feel about it. But it is for sale, although Tara did ask about it first. When it’s all done you can see if you’re still interested. Thanks for asking.
Hi Maria, I love it, it looks kinda 50’s ish and kinda of futuristic, it’s really cool! It’ll be beautiful when finished I’m sure! Have fun!
Katy
I agree Katy. I keep thinking of a modernist painting. A mix of artists.
I love this piece. It is seems so plain and simple; rather comfortable in the way it looks. I think it would be a nice small quilt for a nice small person or bed. Why do all quilts have to be large? I have two small ones. One was a wedding gift thirty years ago. It used to hang over my bed. Now it hangs over my upstairs banister and can be seen when going up, or coming down (sounds like a poem by A.A.Milne). The other was made by the mother of one of my students many years ago. Each student made a square and she put it together. It hangs in my office and brings back memories of years ago.
UCLA has a small museum on campus. Long ago it had an exhibit of Amish quilts.They were beautiful.
I bought a number of books on the history of Amish quilts. I loved the exhibit and so did my students. They were fortunate to have seen the exhibit. One doesn’t get to see something that special so often. We used to walk from my elementary school up to UCLA for many field trips. I loved those walks. It gave me a chance to show my students where I grew up and where some of my friends lived when I was their age. Best of all, it gave them the opportunity to be on a college campus. It is a beautiful campus. Sometime, if you and Jon ever come this way, I’d love to show it to you.
The city like so many has changed. It is so big and crowded that it has lost some of its charm. I liked the simpler times.
Wishing you, Jon and all of the animals who live on the peaceable kingdom a very happy and healthy new year.
Jane
I guess it ultimately just didn’t feel done to me Jane, Otherwise I liked it’s looks small. But I also enjoy the challenge of figuring it out. Somehow it was too easy that small.