Fort S

Sometimes the studio feels about this big. And quilts are big things. They require space. As does the creation of projects. It's Friday and I'd like to say the studio was ready for some creating this weekend. It's well loved and well used, and I am convicting myself of piling.

The weather is suppose to be cruddy. So maybe I will hole up in there and spend and hour or two clearing out, and the rest of the time either machine quilting or working on my art quilt.

I'm guilty, I bought some new fabric at just stupid prices. I'm thinking of making lawn chair covers and matching pillows and so what if they fade. There is some striped stretch duck that I was thinking about for a trench?

Quote of the week:

Brick walls are there for a reason; they let us prove how badly we want things -

Photo Essay - Spring

"But there is a special place where good work is done, a place where elegance is spun out of snippets and scraps"

-from a greeting card by Whimble Designs



The work week closes and the weekend is set to begin. I have a new goal. So I must share. It is the kind of goal that perhaps makes no sense. And yet I have never lived my life to make sense. It involves expense, time, and effort, and could realistically have little financial reward. But aren't those always the best goals?

I've decided I'd like to try out the possibility of getting a degree in fiber arts. It's not a matter of can I, I know I can. I suppose it's more a matter of time and chance at this point. Will my local institution of learning have me? Will the department? I start work on building a portfolio up: novel number two is running along nicely, the roses are sprayed and the house is clean, and a mini adventure is planned for tonight.

I feel a period of resurgence on the horizion. Not just because it is Spring, and the sun has finally appeared after all the wet, but because I have delineated my next step. This has been something I have pondered for sometime. I have achieved a lot of the goals I have set for myself (degree, international travel, work, marriage, getting in shape), excepting the challenge of creating new goals, which I think I just attained.

I spoke of this goal to a new friend, and she maintained that, "That would keep you busy". I felt somewhat insulted, as she proclaimed that I was merely doing this to keep busy, when in reality, the one thing that I have never had a problem with was inventing things to do to maintain productivity. Was this out of envy or just plain dissmissal, I wonder? And why the harsh tone? I hope I never reach the point where I bash down a fancy.

So here we go, check back. I much prefered my husband's response to these outlandish dreams,
"I'll support you with what you want to do"

"But fiber art is also a visual language which helps us to grasp the world around us, to explore new ideas, and to define our sense of being"

-Polly Ullrich

The first day of Spring in the county brings the wind. The clouds can't decide what to do, and the sun likes to try and dry the vibrant grasses which play against the sunlight as it turns on an off again.

I've finished two garments this past month, and hopefully pictures will be posted soon. I have pinned a couple quilts, trying to finishing up some of the lingering objects in order to clear some room.

I cannot imagine "being" without color. It cheers and it energizes, and it can also subdue. I like the equation of color and language, and further that being can be captured by physical representations- a manifestation of soul.

While I was working on the hand in the picture above, I was rustling around different fabrics not at all satisfied with them, and in the process I lost the paper hand. Well, that increased frustration until I bent over and noticed another piece I had forgotten had fallen to the floor, and then as I stepped on a thread spool I lifted my foot in pain, only to burst out laughing, because there was the hand I had been looking for.

Fiber art is the visual language through which I can center myself and get into the mood of peace. I am then better able to see the world, even if by accident that is around me, and explore how my ideas can come into being in the world. Often when I step back, or return to a finished piece sometime later, that is when I find the being reflected back to me.

Brilliant

"I TRY TO MAKE THINGS IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF CONTROLLED LUNACY"
- Danny Mansmith

In the Dec 06 issue of Fiber Arts, (a little behind, I know) there is an inspiring article about Danny. I appreciated the found style of his workspace and his originality.

Part of the problem with fiber art is materials have to be very available to work with in a studio environment. This can lead easily to chaos.

An so Danny teaches me that it is o.k., it is part of the process. But he takes it a step further. Into his art. I always knew I was good at making things. And when I hear an artist like Danny talk about making things, in fact making things full time, I smile.

Been In The Studio

I am making some impressive progress on the art quilt on my design wall. It feels great, but something inside me all of a sudden screeches for traditional, - why? I found a new pattern I want to do also, doesn't that always happen when you dig in and work to finish one thing?

It is a blustery cold day in the Northwest. Perhaps that is best remedied by homemade brownies and soft music?

Tonight, no DVD's, I am going in the studio, and working on the art quilt, I have a bunch of pieces ready and waiting to be glued and stitched.