Viewpoints9 Reveal Day

This newest Viewpoint 9 challenge came from the fertile mind of member Betty Busby:

So, my challenge to you is to think of a situation that needs to have a symbol to represent it-

and invent that symbol!

I auditioned several ideas...hygiene (discarded before it got 'icky'), road signage (been there, done that)...then several periodicals, along with their ubiquitous talking heads, arrived in the news within a very short interval.  Re-igniting an old problem of mine.  

     ARE YOU MOM ENOUGH!!???  REALLY¿??




Just when did being a mom become a competitive sport?  This magazine cover followed on the heels of Amy Chua's book...which was followed by a New York Times article about Wendy Murdoch (yep, Rupert's wife) consulting Chua on childrearing.  It was several columns in length with photos...Really, like this is news.  This simply feed the insecurity of mothers.

Granted I'm an old mom...and grand mom, for that matter, and this is probably another of those instances where my "generational" age shows.  But I think an informed mom can make her own decisions without being challenged into competition.

I have met mothers on five of seven continents, and I can say with some confidence that they all want to be the best moms they can be...even those who are poorly prepared and poorly supported.  We all want the best for our babies and do the very best we can.  

Now everyone ELSE (not experts by any means) has an opinion that they feel obliged to put forth.  It is one thing when your mother or your great-aunt feels entitled to give her advice...now it's everyone. 

Breastfeed.  Breastfeed for three months.  Don't breastfeed.  Solid food.  No solid food.  Circumcise.  Do not circumcise.  Juice.  No Juice.  Sleep in your bed.  Do not sleep in your bed.  Inoculate.  Do not inoculate.  Spank.  Don't you dare spank.  Get a job.  Stay at home.  Daycare.  No daycare.  Sports.  No contact sports.  And on and on.....   

It's time to step back.  Support, inform mothers....don't harass them.  This is NOT a competition.

I designed this simple symbol to indicate a safe zone.  "It's okay to nurse your baby here.  Or not.  We respect your desire to nurture your baby. You are the MOM!"

Summer-Scapes in New Haven

The Color of Place:  Coral Reef

Summer-Scapes, a collection of my work, will be on display through July until August 2 in Art in the Hallway, the gallery space adjacent to Cafe George at 300 George Street, New Haven.  It is an office space with weekday hours exclusively (7am-6pm).  So...if your travels take you to New Haven during the week...stop in.  There is often street side parking, but, if not, there is a parking lot across the street.

I have to say it was very affirming listening to the comments as I installed the show this morning.  I got there right at 7am, to insure a nearby parking spot, and listened to the people as they were getting their breakfast and coffees.  They were very complimentary...they liked to color...and the fact that the pieces are an interesting take on a familiar form.  I am very happy to have the opportunity to show my in a more urban environment.

Art Quilts Lowell 2012: Music

I am so happy to report that I received the fat email over this weekend informing me that my The End of Summer, inspired by Vivaldi's Four Seasons: Summer was accepted to the Brush Gallery...one of my favorite venues.

  

More information about End of Summer can be found on my April 26 post.

Karen Loprete visits the Shoreline

The Shoreline Quilters Guild of CT invited my friend Karen Loprete last January to give a trunk show of her wonderfully creative and lively work.  Of course, they needed to follow up with a class....that was today.  As I had a bit of the morning available, AND, I love to watch Karen in action, I horned in on the workshop.  What fun!  

Karen Loprete

I'm hoping this is just the kick in the behind that I need to get me back to the studio in earnest....not just rearranging and fondly fabric.  I don't know about you...but long absences make it very difficult to keep engaged.  Thank you, Karen!  It was a blast!   

My jumping off point...really.

Notes from the Pacific.....maybe

It's not over 'til the fat lady sings....

First, I must thank all my well-wishers for my birthday posting last week.  As we used to say in the 60's "It was a trip."  

Now, I'm trying to reacquaint myself with my studio after my six week hiatus.  

I think I should not put any of my work away.  Not, that I'm all that tidy, but when I have a chance to re-visit work, sometimes I'm inspired to add, subtract...cut it up...Case in point:  Fibonacci's Garden (click for the earlier photo) from Fiberactions second Challenge using split complimentary colors.  It ALMOST worked.  Yesterday I had an epiphany....that "aha" moment when I KNEW what needed to be done.  Unfortunate that I didn't have this moment earlier in May when it would have been a better addition to the Challenge.  Except, of course, the obvious....it is no longer the strict split complimentary required with the addition of the green.  It is now titled "Fibinocci's Spiral Garden" and will be added to the mostly flora exhibit I'm putting together for a solo exhibit in a very small space in one of Yale's properties in New Haven for late June.  (more later)

Fibonacci's Spiral Garden

Fibonacci's Spiral Garden detail

Tomorrow I am flying to Dallas for a few days to visit my sister Masako who is coping with the side effects of her chemo-therapy.  My job will be to cheer and divert.  I'm thinking pedicures and massages will help.  And, I'm hoping this wallhanging that I made for her will help too.  The central panel is a beautiful woman writing a letter.....one of Masako's fondest occupations.

(This is not an original design...I saw a similar piece that I liked and I tweeked it a bit...downsized it somewhat...simplified so that I could get it completed quickly.)

Quilting Arts (!) AND it's my Birthday Day

Quilting Arts June/July 2012



It was such a treat to open my mailbox today.  My copy of Quilting Arts arrived.  I wrote an article, thanks to the Quilting Arts staff encouragement and assistance, and it is a thrill to see it in print.  I have been receiving emails from friends who saw the piece, but it wasn't until today that I got to see it "in the flesh".  AND, today is my birthday day!  What a nice present.

Australia Collection

Then there is the additional thrill of appearing in the same issue as two (!) of my Sisters in Cloth buddies.  And we didn't realize it until the magazine had gone to press.  Carol Ludington is a master dyer! (She's also a gifted appliquer...so there is always something interesting from her at Show and Tell)

The other featured Sister is Martha Wolfe.  She was one of the very early members, and continued to participate in our challenges even after her family transferred to Florida.  Her work is simply amazing!  Two of her contributions to recent exhibitions are included in the article...one is my all-time favorite (so far).  Tiger Lily is part of the Double Take exhibit that we hope still has "legs" and will travel to at least one more venue.  Fingers crossed.

Pretty great birthday gift! 

Carol Ludington

Martha Wolfe spotlighted

The Artwork of Merelyn Pearce

To Margaret Preston I detail

The first weekend of April we attended the Australasia Quilt Exhibit in Melbourne.

There was much to be excited about...and we photographed it all.  Starting with the work of Merelyn Pearce, a New South Wales quilter, who has won just about every award one can...and justifiably.  I was blown away by her precision and her vision.

To Margaret Preston I

Six of the ten large art quilts exhibited were odes to the art of Margaret Preston, Australia's great woman artist "between the wars", who was greatly inspired by nature and Australian Aboriginal art

Myall Lakes

Queen of Hearts detail

Queen of Hearts

To Margaret Preston II detail

To Margaret Preston II

To Margaret Preston III

To Margaret Preston IV

To Margaret Preston V detail

To Margaret Preston VI detail

To Margaret Preston V

To Margaret Preston VI

The last piece of the Preston series is Preston Dreaming, about which Pearce says that she sought to highlight the influence of Australian Aboriginal Art on the work of Preston who strove to achieve a truly uniquely Australian artistic expression.

Preston Dreaming

Wrapped in Love detail

Preston Dreaming

Wrapped in Love

Merelyn Pearce's work is fabulous...we found ourselves, several times, drawn back to her work in the course of the two days.

More photos of other equally compelling exhibits to follow.