Prayer Flags: Dealing with Loss

Beyond the beliefs of any religion, there is the truth of the human spirit. Beyond the power of nations, there is the power of the human heart.  - Tarthang Tulko (Tibetan teacher in the Nyingma tradition who lives in America, where he works to preserve the art and culture of Tibet)

Feeling sad continues. However, tears are becoming less frequent. Last night I decided that I had to do something other than feeling sad. When the  Prayer Flag Project began in 2011, I was one of the first people to sign on. The idea intrigued me and I made one a day for a month. Each flag represented a wish I had for the world.  I kept twelve which hang across the wall and near the ceiling on a wall in my studio and the rest were stung up in my garden until they became a part of it. I also participated in an international exchange in 2012.  Real Tibetan flags, which were a gift from my friend Carol Esch (she sent them when she learned I was making prayer flags,) hang across the windows in my studio. I have had Tibetan prayer flags in my garden many times since purchasing them support the Tibetan artists. There is something about  watching the flags disintegrate that always causes me mixed emotions--joy and sadness.

One of my favorite Postmark'd Art postcards is from Beki Ries-Montgomery of Eugene, Oregon, (made in 2006) about the prayer flags she saw hanging from the Dochu La Pass in the Kingdom of Bhutan. I don't even mind the black smug added by the USPS. According to Beki, it was a "trip of a lifetime, a wondrous landscape and a gentle, friendly people."                                                              


From the Tibetan Aid Project, "According to the Tibetan tradition, prayer flags imprinted with sacred images and mantras transmit healing energy into the world through the power of the wind. Prayer flags empowered by mantras affect natural, elemental forces on a subtle level, beyond ordinary human perception. As they fly in the wind, the flags exert a protective, balancing influence on the environment and generate benefit for all sentient beings."

heARTist Trading Cards is going to be making prayer flags as a side trade in August so making them seemed like a perfect creative activity to do for so many reasons. Each flag is approximately 5" w by 8" h. I "cheated" slightly with "be peace" because I loved the idea of something hanging off the bottom. Now I wish I could have figured out how to do it with the rest of them. I also made extras so share with friends. If you have not made prayer flags, I highly recommend doing so.  The healing has begun.

"Look Deeper"- Feather Quilt Done!

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. - Albert Einstein

Actually this quilt has been done for quite a while, I just needed to photograph it. This all began when my friend, Carol Esch, sent me blocks she had discharged using a Thermofax screen- one on blue fabric and the other on black. We share the love of feathers as well as other things. I hope she is pleased. I am anxious to begin working on the black fabric feather and see where it leads me.

This summer I have felt the loss of two pieces of nature. For the first time in 15 years, a chickadee has not made a nest in the bird house on my front porch. The house remains empty. For the last two years, I have had an unique relationship with a female crow. She has introduced me twice to her new off spring. She has given me gifts and used my bird bath to soften her meals. I have seen no sign of her. Actually, I have not seen any crows in my area since winter.  I am surprised at how much of a loss this has been to me. Life.

Progress

While I am making progress, I do not have a clear vision on how to finish which is getting frustrating.  "Look Deeper" has not been sewn down as I am not sure if those are the words I want to use. "Look Deeper" is from a photograph taken while standing in line to get into MOMA in San Francisco. I looked down an alley and there were the words on a door.Anyway, I want to get this done soon so I can begin working on the discharged feather on black. Thoughts? Is it time to just stick a fork in it and call it done?

Once again participating in Nina- Marie Sayre's Off the Wall Fridays.

Expect Magic and Miracles

"I like living. I have sometimes been wildly despairing, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all  I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing." -Agatha Christie, An Autobiography

Progress! It has been a busy week with a couple of days of caring for Tom who had knee surgery. (He is doing well.) I have made some progress on the Carol's feather. I so appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. I abandoned trying to make the figure work (she will end up in a piece of art since she keeps calling to me) and have moved it from a piece on loss to a piece on hope. The crow will have the words "Expect Magic and Miracles Everyday" on the piece of cloth it is holding in its mouth which will not be sewed down. The words are also on an alter I created in clay (I'll share tomorrow). Adding some other elements is still floating around in my head. It will be fun to see how this piece evolves. I cannot wait to get started on the feather on the black fabric. It is good to have this to focus on since the days have been rainy and cold. I am in need of spring and green.

I will once again participate in Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Fridays. Hopefully this piece will be completed by next Friday.

Feather Quilt- Opinion Needed

The first thing I want you to know is that it is square. I just threw it quickly on the design wall to photograph and did not take the time to straighten it. I often photograph my quilts because seeing them in a photo can often make me see things I do not see when looking at it in person.

The first photograph show what I have put together as of last night. I am vowing to push this quilt as far as I can take it so remember, this is just the beginning. I plan to add words, more texture, etc. I had a piece of fabric I am considering sitting in my coffee cup all night so that it would be less white. My son did not even skip a beat when he watched me take it out this morning before refilling it.

My vision for  this piece is to make it be about loss and rebirth.

I would really like to include the linen indigo piece (see photo 2) but I am not sure it works. It might be a case where I want it to work, not that it does work. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Joining Nina-Marie for her Off the Wall Fridays.

12/12/12: A Moment in Time Project

Here’s what December 12 has to offer:

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific has declared December 12, 2012, as Anti-Doomsday Day in celebration of rational thinking and reasoned discourse.

December 12 is the last of the repeating dates until January 1, 2101. Repeating dates (like 12/12/12) can, for obvious reasons, only occur in the first 12 years of a century.

 

At 1:21:02 a.m., palindrome lovers everywhere rejoiced in the single second that marks when the date-time combination is the same read both forwards and backwards: 2012-12-12 1:21:02 = 201212-1-212102.

On the date,  the First Chief of Justice of the Supreme Court John Jay was born in 1745, followed by "Madame Bovary" author Gustave Flaubert (1821), Norwegian artist Edvard Munch (1863), "‘ol blue-eyes" Frank Sinatra (1915), politician Ed Koch (1924), abstract expressionist Helen Frankenthaler (1928), singer Dionne Warwick (1940), and jazz drummer extraordinaire, Tony Williams (1945) just to name a few.

December 12 hasn’t proven to be an exceedingly popular day for famous deaths, however English poet Robert Browning, Baroness Spencer-Churchill (wife of Winston), Ike Turner and Tom Walkinshaw, (former racing driver and Formula 1 team owner) all hold the honor.

And today there will also be quilts!

I woke early this morning anxious to get going on my part of the 12/12/12: A Moment in Time Project. I sliced and inserted fabrics. Not entirely thrilled with my efforts (I did have fun. I just think I needed more coffee!) so it's on to quilt two! I'm going to do some hand applique so it may be a while before you see my next one.

Carol Esch send me a photo of her quilt made from her own wonderful shibori fabrics. Carol shares, " I was going to put 12 12 12 on it but decided on Roman Numeral 12  XII..........which actually consists of 12 straight pieces." I love it! She's trying to figure out how to quilt it so leave her some suggestions.  

Here is Sylvia Lewis's quilt. Please check out her blog for more details. I know I want to know more! Sylvia is also participating in the blog giveaway party.

Do send me images of your work. Do check back later for to see more. Do sign up for my blog giveaway.

Carol Esch and the 1950 Challenge

 I think of all the people who took up my 1950s fabric challenge, Carol did the most to change the fabric. Using deColorant and Jacquard fabric paints, I hardly recognize the fabric! I love her symbol too. Way to go Carol! Thanks for providing us with some great inspiration. Can't wait to play!

1950 Challenge Fabric Reveal

It all began with this 1950s fabric and a group of wonderful people who joined in the fun. The rules were simple.

1. The challenge fabric must appear in your finished quilt. After all, that is the point.
2. You can do anything you want to the fabric (dye, stamp, etc.).
3. You must use Rayna Gillman's book, Create Your Own Free-Form Quilts: A Stress-Free Journey to Original Design, as your inspiration.
4. You must take photographs showing your process. I'd like to see at least three and especially photographs of any changes you make to the challenge fabric.
5. If you don't have a blog, send the photographs and thoughts to me and I'll post them here. If you have a blog, then please share it so we can watch and comment on your progress.

I asked that all the quilts be completed by March 1. However, I knew that not everyone would or could finish it. Irene Armock broke her arm and Marti Porterfield is having visions problems. Rayna Gillman has had lots of deadlines. We Should all be so lucky. Please understand that when I began this challenge,  I did not know Rayna nor did I knew that she would care about my challenge AND that she would take the time to join in and provide encouraging words to those who stepped up and put themselves out there to do the challenge. The world s a better place because of people like Rayna.  Others didn't even bother to acknowledge they got the fabric but life is too short to worry about them. More photos are coming so check back. Thanks to everyone for joining in the fun.

 Mine

  Rayna Gillman

Ode to Karen

Carol Esch

 

Louise Baldel

Denise Frank

Barbara Beadsley

Metamorphosis

  Vivian Helena Aumond-Capone

Bonnie J Smith

Janice Paine Dawes

Pink Rain and Chocolate Bunny

Sherrie Spangler

Martha Ginn 

 Kristin McNamara Freeman

Challenge Fabric- Carol Esch

I love the direction that Carol is going. Can't wait to see what she does next. This challenge is definitely more inspiring than I thought it would be. I'm excited! Hope you are too!

Wordless Wednesday- Blast form the Past

Photo by Carol Esch and used as her Christmas card to me this year