compulsion

Kindergarten - detail, Paula Kovarik, 2014

One aspect of this art form that reveals my inner self. Compulsion. An outlet for repetitive thinking.... Working on the background stitching of my kindergarten quilt has taught me a lesson in persistance. Each stitch about a quarter inch long. The piece measures about 3 x 3 foot. I am adding approximately 40 - 50 stitches per 2 inch square by hand.

It seemed like a good idea at the beginning.

raw edged

raw edged, Paula Kovarik, 2012-2013

This piece has been on my design wall for over a year. The pic above is only a detail. It started as a failed quilt that I chopped up and reassembled upside down with strips of black and peach colored strips. The raw edges drip into each other to create a nest of layers that appeals to me. Every so often I take it down off the wall and add more stitching. A spiral here, some hand stitching there. It accepts whatever I add with grace and humor. I'm not sure I ever want to finish this one. It would mean that the process would end. And that's been the most satisfying of all that I do in art. The process.

 

Insomnia series continues

Insomnia 2, Paula Kovarik, 2013

I have made progress on the second insomnia piece. Originally I wanted to show the difference between a sound sleeper and one who has more difficulty filtering out the brain games. But, when I started talking to other people about how their sleep patterns resolve themselves I found that most do not have an easy time falling to a gentle sleep. Hence, a little bit of chaos for each of us. These insomnia pieces are done on some recycled cotton pillow shams given to me by my friend Missy.

Insomnia detail, Paula Kovarik, 2013

Here comes the sun

Kindergarten, ©2013, Paula Kovarik

After a week of cold and gray the burst of sunshine through my studio window was welcome relief. This little guy looked like he was jumping for joy on my design wall. Though I am still wearing an insulated vest and scarf in the studio, the light is SO much better.