Like reading a poem and each person interpreting it according to their life experience, I sometimes get a message from someone who buys a piece of my art and it has personal meaning for them. Usually, there is some overlap in my original intention and how it touches them. Often I learn something about the piece of art from the person who buys it. Sometimes it’s something subconscious that I only became aware of once that person told me about it.
This is what happened when I read what Cheryl wrote about my Umbrella Quilt and what it means to her.
I’ve always thought of umbrellas as both physical and symbolic protection. Cheryl sees them in a similar way. She said she was looking to find “contentment and mental peace this year” and used my blog, art and farm as a part in her search. “The umbrella concept was visually and mentally attractive.” She wrote, “As was having a tangible item from my 2020 experience from your blog.”
Then Cheryl wrote about the meaning she found in the Scrubs I used in the quilt.
“Scrubs. I can think of little that more fully reflects the heroism, pain, and politics of this year. The best and worse of all human attitudes and behaviors.”
Of course, I thought when I read what she wrote, that makes perfect sense.
Cheryl ended by saying that the quilt encompasses this past year for her and the idea that “our nation has so many good people quietly working hard to make life better for not just themselves. People above and beyond the loud mean ones.”
Most of us can’t change the world. But we can touch the people around us in a positive way, by being true to ourselves, and acting on that truth in whatever form it takes.
I’ve been grateful throughout this year that I’ve continued to have my work to do and have tried to use my art and my blog to put good out into the world. My art has always primarily been about making connections. And strengthening those connections has been even more important this past year.
I may have made the quilt, but it took Cheryl to see and articulate how my Umbrella Quilt embodies this idea.
“Most of us can’t change the world. But we can touch the people around us in a positive way, by being true to ourselves, and acting on that truth in whatever form it takes.” Maria, this is how we change the world, one person, one moment, one action, one creation, one belief at at a time. And maybe that isn’t always our goal, to affect change – if we are true to ourselves, we cannot NOT act, or be or do, we are driven to express what is inside of us, which inspires others to try to do the same. I love that you inspire me, and others, to keep true to ourselves – that this is important “work” no matter what form it takes! Thank you, Maria!
“this is how we change the world, one person, one moment, one action, one creation, one belief at a time.” Beautiully and truthfully said Karla, Thank you.