Germinating Compassion

Quilting Assistant says he thinks the fruit is too dominant over the seeds and the sprouts, but maybe that's the point: donations bear fruit. I hope it generates some funds for Doctors without Borders.

Doctors without Borders Annual Fundraiser Donation

It's that time of year when 40 artists of all media create works for an auction benefitting Doctors without Borders. The theme "Transformation" inspired my fiber art donation "Germinating Compassion." Here are a few process images:

Zippers separate fallow soil, sprouting seeds, and fruit.

 

Patterns for fruit with seeds.

 

Fabric pairs for fruit.

Useless Emotions

The new series of experiental art quilts--faster, less embellished--was installed as the the doors were opened for Open Studios, the SOMA (South Main) Art Stroll in Half Moon Bay. There was a steady stream of art appreciaters, but not buyers. We got many favorable comments but no sales, alas. Here is the collection:


Frustration

Envy

Regret

Guilt

Rage

Shame

Worry

Fear


What was especially gratifying for me was that our visitors were interested in discussing the process of depicting emotions with color and composition clues, often trying to guess which quilt was which emotion before reading the label. And from there, just why is this emotion useless? Or what if it were still an issue for the viewer, or whether it had been conquered, and therefore would the quilt serve as a trophy? They were not afraid of the topic.

What color is SHAME?

Worry? Boredom? Rage is easier to color but not to shape. I call on my Assistant.

These little vignettes are taking shape. My challenge is to keep them loose, not so structured, more painterly.
I take breaks to watch the Olympic extravaganzas. Now THAT is structure. How many thousands of times do those athletes do the SAME thing to perfection?

I prefer my sport.

What if? Some Experiments....

What if I...

• made smaller, faster quilts, not as labor-intensive, at smaller price points?
• tried some new techniques with fusing and curved seams?
• explored new color combinations?
• created a series?

My new series is USELESS EMOTIONS. I will attempt to convey an emotion with color and design. Part quilting. Part therapy.

Starting with "Useless Emotion: Envy" In process. so far, fused pieces. stitching and embellishments to follow. This is a fun mix-it-up process.

Champion Companion

Who knew that his last social outing would be my quilt show?
Or that my last blog post would be on the eve of his death?
He was so excited to see me right back quilting after my show, obviously a sign that this time I wasn't burned out.
He loved it when I was quilting. He saw it as a positive, self-nourishing activity.

I loved to show him my latest creation, because he was my biggest fan and thrilled to the colors and compositions.
I loved brainstorming the titles for my pieces with him. It tapped his love of the way language can capture just the right feeling and tone of artistic expression.

He was happy to help however he could, this time meticulously pealing off the little pieces of fusing paper from 300 squares of silk sewn into strips. It saved me a few hours of tedium.

He was the smartest, funniest, most honorable person I've ever known. I wish I could show him my new series. He would have SO much to say on the subject of useless emotions. So here's to you, Jackie....

Change of pace -- Aprons

I'm sewing with cotton for a change. It seems easy by comparison and presses out so crisply. I'm also having fun finding companion fabrics from my stash.

Thomas thinks these cartoon cats are curious creatures with their funny colors.