the [ is it worth it? ] debate

Inevitably, at some stage in every project, I come to a point where I have to ask: is it worth it? Yesterday was one of those days. While working on the continent portions of this world map quilt I decided to add a running stitch horizontally across the space defined by the continents. Thus:

horizontal hand stitching

Those horizontal hand stitches added a nice texture that contrasted with the machine stitching nearby. Needless to say, there are a lot of continents on this map and the time it takes to add the running stitch is not inconsequential. Then, I experimented with another set of running stitches at a 90 degree angle. Thus:

90 degree stitching for new texture

Double the texture, double the time. And, did I mention the number of threads I need to bury where the machine stitching hits the continents?

So, is it worth it?

I decided yes.

Textural details

Spent the weekend adding stitching to the World quilt. Love the difference here between the circular texture and the Kantha stitching in the continent. Lots more to go.

mind mapping

Sometimes the only thing I can do in the studio is not focus. I flit from piece to piece with nary a thought to consistency or plan. Often my eyes rest on this old timer. I am calling it my mind map. Though it would probably be more accurate if I called it mind unmapping.

Mind map, detail, Paula Kovarik

I use this piece as a collage of thoughts and images. All of it is random. All of it pieced from other works...many that traveled along a detour, got a flat tire and ended up stashed away in some far away failure drawer. Sometimes I just hand stitch on it. Other times I add detail with my machine. I will continue to add layers and layers until it all makes sense.

Maybe it will make sense someday. Maybe not. For now it is a great resting point for me. There are no risks with this piece. I know if I don't like it I can cut it up.

Mind map, stitching, Paula Kovarik

I don't know why, but I really like the way this silly pink flower looks against the hand stitching below it.

faking it until you make it.

Sometimes you just have to think bigger than reality.

Quilts = Art = Quilts

The Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center in Auburn, NY will open the Quilts=Art=Quilts exhibition this weekend. Quilts=Art=Quilts 2014 is the Schweinfurth Art Center's 34th annual juried quilt exhibition. The Art Center has long recognized the importance of quilts as a visual medium, and has been presenting quilts in an art gallery setting since 1981. View 77 quilts by 73 artists from around the world including Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.  

Memory's Playground, Paula Kovarik, 2014

My piece, Memory's Playground, will be there. This is one of those quilts that needs to be seen close up. It was inspired by that game we play identifying cloud shapes as objects. Then morphed into a study on how the brain categorizes images and connections.  If you are in the Auburn, NY area, take a moment or two to see this wonderful exhibition. And let me know your thoughts on the work!

Memory's Playground, detail