It’s been really hard getting back into a creative frame of mind since my knee replacement last fall – as evidenced by the lack of activity here. First I couldn’t hand sew because all the various muscle relaxers had my hands too shaky to do so, and by the time that effect was gone I just plain wasn’t feeling creative. Not a good thing for an artist. I have tried over and over again to make myself just spend time in the studio creating anything at all to get a jump start. but that negative voice that says “What’s the use?” always puts an end to it. I know that the working artists do just that, but I don’t know how they get to that mental place that allows them the impetus to do so.
But, Monday evening I got the shove that forced me into the studio to create something. An acquaintance from my quilt guild days called with the request for a landscape of Pike’s Peak that she could turn into a small quilt for her daughter – with a deadline of two days or less. So, off into the the studio I went first thing on Tuesday morning, and by mid-afternoon the landscape was done. Nothing like a little push to make me work. I had a size requirement, very specific design request (Pike’s Peak, two trees on the left side), and an incredibly short deadline, all of which worked to my advantage. The landscape (pictured below) will be picked up this afternoon, and I will spend this morning cutting mats for some small threadpainted miniature landscapes that I did ages ago, and for some landscapes that have been laid out but not sewn since Ocotber. My hope is that having the mats all cut and ready to go will provide the impetus to actually get them finished. Some times it really does take a shove to get me moving again.
Tags: landscape, Pike's Peak, pine trees, quilt
April 2, 2008 at 12:03 pm |
Nice to see you blogging again Karen
April 2, 2008 at 2:44 pm |
Thanks, Anne. With any luck I’ll be a bit more dedicated from now on.
April 2, 2008 at 8:47 pm |
Karen,
thank heavens for the shove. I kept on calling in to see when you would restart this blog. (no pressure!)
Pike’s Peak is a peaceful work; wonderful to carry it as a memory of a beautiful place.
I look forward to seeing more of your landscapes.
Don’t stress, just enjoy; it will show in your work.
April 3, 2008 at 10:57 am |
Thanks, Anna, it does feel good to be back. I have 4 landscapes waiting to be stitched and matted, so the shove really did me some good. Will post photos after they are stitched. Take care!
August 10, 2009 at 1:18 pm |
hi,
my mom sent me the article about you from the Rural Electric Nebraskan. I also had dye and hand paint fabric. I googled you and have been looking at your work. I hope to see more work from you in the future.
August 11, 2009 at 8:42 am |
Hi Debbie,
Where do you live? I do have work that hangs at Prairie Winds Art Center in Grand Island and Graham Gallery in Hastings, plus I’ll have a booth at the Lincoln Arts Festival the end of September, so if you are close to any of those, stop on over! What do you create with your painted and dyed fabrics? How long have you been doing it?
August 11, 2009 at 4:24 pm |
Hi,
I’m in Texas, I have family in Valparaiso, NE. I rarely get up that way anymore. I’ve been hand dyeing about 4 years and painting less than that. I make quilts, I hand dye my clothes and socks. I get a lot of comments on my socks. If it looks like I’ll be coming to Nebraska, I’ll let you know. I’ve started playing with art quilts.
August 11, 2009 at 6:18 pm |
Art quilts are really fun – no rules, no boundaries! Do you go to the Quilt Festival in Houston? I usually make the trip down but won’t be able to this year. If you’ve never gone, make the chance to do so because it is great. The classes are the best part of all, though you have to sign up really early to get the really great ones. Hand dyed socks sound like fun, but don’t you have to rinse them forever to get all the excess dye out? That’s my least favorite part of dyeing.