05.31.07
Posted in Uncategorized, Musings at 1:11 am by Administrator
Tonight, there was a special on TV about Crafts. Various artists were featured, some basket makers, furniture makers, and a blacksmith. One of the furniture makers had spent a lot of time making a cabinet, a beautiful cabinet. Then, he attached a bent nail with some staples, in a location where one might expect a knob or a handle. Everyone wanted to know why. Why did he, in essence, deface this work of art? He said that he is tired of being asked about the bent nail, but it was just something he had to do.
Part of the process of creating something is knowing that we can make it any way we wish. In an old quilt I have, the quilter’s initials are, “S. M.” She decided to turn the second letter on end so that they (the embroidered initials) look more like, “S. E.”
I have heard of a process by which someone pieces an entire quilt top and then gets out the rotary cutter to slash it and then it is reassembled in a more haphazard (artistic?) manner, an idea, not that dissimilar to that of a crazy quilt (asymmetrical, etc.)
Yes, part of creating is knowing we can destroy. It’s also having the freedom to re-build again, in any way that suits our personality, our choices, or our mood, at the moment.
I have made some crooked rope baskets, not on purpose, however, but only because I did not have the skill to do a better job.
I’ve come to some conclusions. In my opinion, it’s one thing if you do sloppy work or work just to suit yourself, and you decide to call it “art.” If your work is simply a demonstration that you haven’t taken the time to learn your craft or art well, then it is a reflection of your lack of skill.
Do your homework before parading yourself as an artist. A lot of poor work is being turned out today and labeled “quilt art.” Instead, it is really narcissistic, self-expressionism taken to new heights, made by someone without enough art training or quilting skills to make the final product what it really could be, in terms of meaning to others, and an object of intrinsic, artistic merit, were there more attention given to details as well as necessary skills applied to make the piece “fly.” Wow, that was a mouthful! Please don’t send out the cavalry!
Some would call the purposely-bent, added nail on the cabinet, “artistic.” The woodworker knew exactly what he was doing, could have made it as “perfect” as any man could have, and yet for a reason of his own, decided to add a built-in flaw, if only to make an “artistic statement.”
To simplify my thoughts: If you paint outside the lines because you want to do so and know you are doing it, fine. If you do that because you don’t have the skills to do any better, maybe you should practice and get the skills you need. That statement could apply across the board to any of the many areas of artistic, creative endeavors. Capish?
Rhetorical question of the day: Is it really true that artists are “rebels without a cause”?
Pat
http://www.quiltersmuse.com
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05.30.07
Posted in Uncategorized, Musings at 1:32 am by Administrator
We have lots of ways to measure things in life, and we have ways to measure life itself. We have cup measures, teaspoons, tablespoons, beakers, gallon jugs, quart containers, rulers, tape measures, barometers, hygrometers, and thermometers, just to mention a few measuring tools. We make marks on the door, in pencil, to measure our child’s vertical growth. We have scales that may serve to remind some of us just how sedentary we have become.
We could measure our lives by how much money we have in the bank, how big a car we drive, what kind of home we live in, or even how many friends we perceive ourselves to have.
What I want to tell you next is simply my opinion. Your life and mine cannot be measured…except by what is in our hearts. Is your heart filled with kindness or consumed by petty jealousy? Do you want to help your fellow man or woman, or do you prefer to go your own way? Are you ready to say a few kind words whenever you can, or do you prefer to avoid extending yourself, or even giving credit where credit is due? Only you can answer these questions.
In the long run, it is not the size of your waist that matters, or the size of your feet, too little or too big. The true measure of a person’s success is peace in knowing that he/she has does his or her very best. The true reward is not in hearing the applause of others. Ribbons, trophies, Academy Awards are symbols. Fame and the approval of the masses is fleeting and never stands the test of time.
The most important thing in life is to accept yourself and all of your own foibles, whatever they may be. If you don’t like something about yourself, try to change. If you feel you can’t change whatever is bothering you, then concentrate on accepting it.
In the end, there is you, and there is Eternity, and at that point, applause from anyone else matters little.
Patricia Cummings
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05.28.07
Posted in Uncategorized, Textile Discoveries at 11:42 pm by Administrator
Whether someone is a textile fanatic or not, it is a common truth that we all use textiles in our daily lives. What would life be like, without sheets, towels, dishcloths, wedding gowns, baby outfits, blue jeans, and so much more?
More than anything else, people want to dress well for special occasions, and even for daily wear. How we dress can actually make us look better. For example, a jersey with horizontal stripes will not look very becoming on a very wide body. In that case, vertical stripes are in order. Conversely, if one is thin, then horizontal stripes will look great!
Certain colors look better with specific skin colors. While I love the color orange, in a quilt, I do not look good wearing orange near my face. It makes me look washed out, and it does not complement my pinkish complexion and hazel eyes.
No matter if we are careful in our choices of color or not, they do have a psychological effect on those around us. I really enjoy it when Jim wears a blue shirt or a gray one. Those colors suit him and match his calm, serene, uneasily riled, personality. Whether we realize it or not, the colors of clothes cause a profound response in the viewer.
As I started out to say, clothes and textiles are with us, from cradle to grave. Some items are ornate like smocked and embroidered dresses for little girls; others are strictly utilitarian, like tablecloths and embroidered dish towels.
I guess I’ve been very lucky over the years in being able to find unusual, old textiles to study and to discuss in my writings. It’s been a lot of fun learning about the specific categories of old textiles, domestic and foreign, and their history. Clothing and textile-related topics are inexhaustible and I have a hunch that I will not run out of interesting things to study, regarding all of that.
So, it is with great joy that I continue my quest daily to learn more about this exciting subject of textiles: how, when, where, and why they were made, and for whom; and historical trends and connections.
Have a great Tuesday!
Pat Cummings
http://www.quiltersmuse.com
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