Blast from the past.....

Time flies.............if you don't believe it, go back through your artwork, especially those pieces that should, for some unknown reason, have a date prominent in the design. I found these pics this morning while debating on doing a post; I'm still kind of wiped out, I have DH home through the weekend and a load of work both physical and on the computer awaiting. And I'd like to crawl back in bed. The latter is not going to happen........ ;-)
At any rate, of the number of quilts I have made, this is one of my favorites and sadly, the vinyl the jacket was made of is deteriorating. When it was out on tour, it was not stored in a climate controlled space, came home with creases and pet hair and I was sick. That was one of the determining factors in my withdrawal from shipping and showing work, and also a beginning of the desire for mixed media. I just knew there had to be a better way of self expression, and I learned that the lure of money or my name being out there meant little. I guess it was then that it hit me that I do art for the pleasure of ART, and hopefully for pleasure it brings to others (which is why I blog).

The name of the piece is "43 Enshrined: Inner Sanctum". It speaks of that point in life where you are midway. To the viewers right is the sturdy whole column, to the left, the inverted torch and crumbling rock and brick. And there *I* am, right in the middle, my life and loves summed up within the representation of my signature leather jacket. Music, New Orleans, my tattoo artwork, other small charms of protection, and good old skinny me in a pair of leather pants I would give my eye teeth to squeeze back into again! (delusional Anne......carry on) And my favorite bass, a Fender Jazz bass, now sold.......oh the action was smooth, the neck fast and the sound out of this world!!! How I miss it.

It seems like this past year has been such a time of transition in one form or another, that if I was to remake this piece today, I ask myself, "What would the contents of the jacket be?" What would be the dominating themes in my life? Where, exactly, as an artist and as a person am I now?

This was easy at 43. It was a full year, a ripe and verdant time. In the year of the impending 50, I am not sure. Is life defined by decades or moments, sweet and short? Is it filled with pleasure or pain---do we subtly forget the hurt over time and fill our *jackets* with the warm memories of things past and accomplishments achieved? As we grow older, do we wish to DO more but find less time, and have to face the realization that there is a finite amount we will achieve and refine that area?

What fills YOUR jacket at this point in your life? What road are you on?

And the question I perpetually ask myself: Am I where I am supposed to be, doing the work I should be doing, or is it all a tempering of mettle for something else ahead.

So.........where are YOU and what is your life full of?

I hope creativity, in one form or another is part of it.

Pax.

The Scent of Fabric

I realize that is an odd title for a blog post, but those of you who have cut batiks and good fabric know there is a particular scent to it, a smell you associate with going into a nice fabric store and perusing the goods and spending time enjoying yourself amidst the colors and bolts of fabrics.

Kokomo Piecemakers Quilt Guild is having a quilt show this coming weekend, June 5-6, from 9-5 both days. Click the link above and check it out.

Better yet, if you live around here, take some time to go to it. Antique quilts, new quilts, challenge quilts, vendors........ :-) The ladies have worked very hard to put on a great show and anyone in the local area who loves fabric, qults, or quilting needs to be there!

Even though I am not a member right now, I still feel linked to the group and the girls. That's how I happened to be in the studio today, putting together bundles for door prizes. (I think that's what they're for...well....I said I would donate some fabric!) As I got looking at the colors I thought how yummy they were, and I do truly miss the work I did that was strictly for the fun of sewing. A bright palette, off set by darks and neutrals......oh, I did enjoy making the colors pop!

Needless to say, I am not including the torn scraps that resulted from straightening edges of lots of batiks, but the artist in me was having too much fun playing with the colorful little *vermi* (worms) and pushing them about the other pieces, already rolled and ready to go. It was like pushing paint.....too much fun!
There are some nice pieces there; I hope whoever wins them has fun with them and is able to incorporate them into a lovely piece!
Can you know how to do too many different types of art? Sadly, yes. Not enough hours in the day for them all.
But every once in a while, you get to revisit an old friend, and it's so much fun!
Now to find my jewelers pliers to reattach a crucifix to my first communion rosary......
Don't ask, because this one perplexes even me.
Have a wonderful, colorful day........create something beautiful!
And if you love quilts, mark your calenders!!!