stars and bars

March 30, 2015

I made some progress on the hand stitching for this flag quilt over the weekend. I debate each addition of detail with these questions:

Is it worth the effort?
Am I adding detail for a reason?
When does decoration move the piece away from meaning?

I think I need to add one more star. It's hard to count them when they are so scattered. Saw in the paper today that on this day in 1870 William Seward signed a treaty with Russia to purchase the territory of Alaska for a little over 7 million dolla… — I think I need to add one more star. It's hard to count them when they are so scattered. Saw in the paper today that on this day in 1870 William Seward signed a treaty with Russia to purchase the territory of Alaska for a little over 7 million dollars.

A friend of mine called the large basting stitches between the rows Frankenstein stitching.  Though it is hard to see here, the stitching is in alternating colors of red, white and blue. A visual metaphor for the patriotism that stitches this n… — A friend of mine called the large basting stitches between the rows Frankenstein stitching. Though it is hard to see here, the stitching is in alternating colors of red, white and blue. A visual metaphor for the patriotism that stitches this nation together, however loosely.

While channeling my inner Jasper Johns, Betsy Ross and Faith Ringgold, I am also watching the news about personal freedoms, states rights and race relations. The raggedness of this piece feels right for the era in which we are living. Does it seem to you that we are hanging be a thread? Unraveling?

How much should I tidy up?

chaos, beautiful chaos

January 31, 2015

Winter is a great time to see texture. and line. These grasses inspire me. Must stitch soon.

Slowing down to think and listen

January 26, 2015

As I was stitching last night I thought about the documentary Alive Inside, a 2014 Sundance film festival award winner about the effect of music on Alzheimers patients. The film is stunning, heart warming and inspirational. I highly recommend it to all. Order it now. Watch it today. Contribute to their efforts.
Really. Do it now.

We all have a soundtrack in our lives. Music that motivates, energizes and memorializes our lives.

What would my soundtrack include? Led Zeppelin, Mozart, Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills Nash and Young, especially Young. And Ray Charles, Erik Satie, Tom Waits, Edith Piaf, Jami Sieber and Jaco Pastorius. Sophie Hunger, Wax Tailer, Beethoven and Florence and the Machine. And how could I omit Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and Sweet Honey and the Rock? Miles Davis, Utah Phillips, Leonard Cohen, Nat King Cole, Ana Brun, Ludovico Elnaudi, Gustav Mahler, John Lee Hooker, Al Green and Marvin Gaye. Of course it would also have to include Damien Rice, David Bowie, the Beatles, Phillip Glass, Peter Gabriel, Patsy Cline and Luciano Pavarotti.

Sunstitched, Paula Kovarik, part of a quilt challenge for my local guild.

OK, so the list is endless. It's comforting to think that for all the times we struggle with memory, become lost in life's challenges, or just want to find what the next step might be … all we have to do is listen. The inspiration is there. In the music.

What is on your soundtrack?

moving on

January 3, 2015

That rock and reflection in the middle of this photo reminds me of a four square patch.

Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas is a magical place. It harbors family memories, exposes changes in nature to our wondering eyes and instills a sense of miracles and beauty every time we visit. This year was no exception. Though the weather was cold and wet we were able to hike our favorite waterfall trail, one we have hiked many times. My children grew up exploring these woods and climbing these rocks. Now my grandchildren do the same. Every four years our friends join us there in an election year pilgrimage to share food, tell stories of our lives, lick our wounds if our candidates lost and rejoice with hope if our candidates win the opportunity to make our government work. I hope the tradition lingers into old age.

The photo below is a composite of the same trees taken 10 years apart. The tree on the left (shown in the middle image at the far left) has a healed over hollow and some new sprouts. The tree on the right still carries the heart shaped rock I admired ten years ago. I love the stubbornness of nature … the slow build that growth and adversity uses to form life.

momentum

December 30, 2014

Holidays break the momentum of projects. I hate to stop working on something while I have a clear focus of the direction it is going in. It just takes so long to get back on the road. This poor abused cactus in the studio reminded me of that. Sometimes you go strong in one direction only to drop and weaken as the piece grows. Then you have to put your thoughts in order, reach into a new support system and try again. Check out those little feet this guy has created to forge ahead!