This piece started out as a journal quilt that I never really liked. However, I always liked the bleached background so instead of simply throwing it away, I removed all the applique which left me with pretty much a blank quilt. It's been hanging around my studio for more than a year for my muse to give me a clue. Well today she spoke. I took leftovers from one of my dresses, started layering and cutting. Just playing around. I'm not sure if I've stuck a fork in it yet. I feel I need to give it some time before declaring it done. It wasn't as much fun as the dresses but I do like exploring layering and I love making art every day. Hoping I can keep this up long after the end of the month.
When my friend Elizabeth Owen asked me to participate in a Tarot card exchange, I said "yes" even though I truly don't know that much about Tarot. However, I like to occasionally do things that frighten me. The cards needed to be based on a work of Edgar Allan Poe. Well, when I got the Page of Wands panic is exactly what I did for days. This was not going to be easy. I read Poe poetry for days and my panic subsided a little when I came across his poem "Dreams" which seemed to fit.
Whenever I finish something that has taken a lot of time or has required a lot of thought, I try to just play. I think it is important to play. Remember when play was such a large part of our lives. Last night I was thinking about all the falling stars I wished upon as a child. I wonder how many were granted that I have long forgotten. And more importantly, when did I stop wishing upon them. I am preparing my next wish. When did you make your last wish. 
I worked more than 8 hours yesterday and can now report that it is done! The piece is difficult to photograph but I think I got a decent enough detail that you get the idea. I really like the copper beads and have decided to call this piece "Points of Light." It continues my theme of connections although this is not what I intended in the beginning. I love using Laura Wasilowski's threads 
It took me years to figure out that I could let work rest until it was ready. Sometimes my muse just isn't talking so I have learned to be patient. This is one of those pieces where at the time (several years ago)I just wasn't sure what to do so I set it aside. I've always loved handwork. I find it meditative, relaxing. When I took it out of storage, I knew immediately what I wanted to do. I've spent more hours doing the embroidery work than I care to admit but I'm really liking it more and more. Sorry for the bad photo. I'll try to post a better one tomorrow.
I wish I could say that I dazzled the students. I realized how much I feed off an audience when I speak. Actually, it wasn't bad. The audience just didn't seem interested in the art. However, they were interested in the issues surrounding Juarez. I did get one question. With the naming vigil happening immediately following the panel discussion the room cleared quickly. Judith had an emergency and couldn't make it which was disappointing. I was really looking forward to meeting her. I think she is an amazing artist. Still glad I went. I'd do it again.
Pinch me. I still cannot believe that my quilt "They are our daughters, our sisters" will be included in the exhibit "Rastros y Cronicas: Women of Juarez" at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago (1852 W 19th St) from October 16, 2009 - February 14, 2010. I began making this quilt after being asked to teach a class based on what is happening to young women in Juarez, Mexico. The quilt was made over several months as I read articles and books, watched videos and frankly cried. When I lived in Texas (1994-1998), I had read articles that would occasionally pop up in the newspaper about the women being tortured, raped and killed in Juarez and like many things that we read, it passes from our mind. I was surprised to hear that women were still being killed. Since 1993, more than 500 women have been killed in Ciudad Juarez in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua (just over the border from El Paso, Texas). My piece was not planned but evolved. It was important to me to have a cross for every women (girls since the youngest is 10) that has died. It is important for me that it compels the viewer to comprehend and sympathize with what the victims endured and what the loved ones who are left behind continue to face. We must not forget or ignore the loss because we are all connected.
It is so much fun to watch Socco's confidence grow and grow. She spent a lot of time working on the figure of the woman. Again I can't wait to see what she does next.
I was so pleased when the group embraced making "Spirit" dolls with my pattern. Maria H. was the first one to finish. She plans to give the doll to her sister who is dying of brain cancer. It has been so much fun to watch these dolls being created and seeing how they refect the inner spirit of each women. I will be posting more photos.
I think Christina is amazing. I love her sense of design and that she always has movement in her work. I think with time she could make a big splash in the world of art and I hope she gets the chance.
Macrina has caught the quilt bug! She bought herself a sewing machine so there is no stopping her now! I love her skull. I loved that she jumped in with no fear. I can't wait to see what she does next!
Martha escaped to Mexico this summer and we missed her terribly. She took her quilt with her on her travels so this quilt has been done by hand. I truly believe that Martha is going to be an embellishing queen!
It is not easy to cme into an established group and yet, Florinda jumped in with both feet. She loved the idea of tulle and even when she melted it, kept going. I'm so proud of her.
Here's another Juarez quilt. I love that Maria uses so much embroidery in her work. In Mexico, embroidery was something the girls were talk in school. She's good at it too! What I love even more is how much she has embraced quiltmaking. She's always working. Always thinking about the next project. I love her style and cannot wait to see what she does next.
I have the get privilege to teach an amazing group of women at the National Museum of Mexican Art. We have been creating quilts that deal with a tough subject matter--the torture, rape, mutilation and death of young women and children from Juarez, Mexico. This is Maria's second quilt! It truly is typical in that it shows that the women have gone to a better place. I hope you agree with me that this quilt is amazing!
I've been in an emotional and creative funk. I know intellectually why. Fall has come early and I want more summer. This time of year I'm usually getting ready to go to Georgia. Last year I didn't get to go because the Russians invaded and this year there wasn't the time and funds. I miss my friends and the place that feels like a second home. It looks like October 10th will be the last time I meet with my group at the National Museum of Mexican Arts due to funds. I have grown to truly love these women. It has been great to be a part of their creative process. They certainly have surpassed all expectations. Anyway, I'm hoping my trip to Maine next week will break the spell. I learned long ago that I am a cycling being and know that this will pass. Off to the studio to see if I can't coax my muse to come out and play.
Today in the mail was a letter from Michelle! She shared her appreciation for being in Sacred Threads and my interviewing her. Not much else. Unlike the other letters I have gotten there were no questions or any indication that she wanted me to write back. I find each letter to confirm things I felt when I interviewed them. I've written a letter so we shall see if we hear anymore from Michelle. She does want to make more quilts to give as gifts to her family. I have no idea how much long she has to serve. Michelle is in for knowing about crimes her husband committed. She did not commit any of the crimes and her husband has fallen in love with another woman. Again, I am so surprised the she is not bitter. A little angry but not bitter. Wonder what tomorrow's mail will bring.
Today in the mail was a letter from Joy and just like her name so was her letter. I want to share some of her words with you. "My quilt only expressed my thought on long term incarceration and how important it is to live a celebrated female life. I'm glad to read the feedback because even though I had several positive comments, I felt oddly embarrassed with my verbal communication." Isn't she amazing! 
I began baking for my group at the National Museum of Mexican Art as another way of connecting and sharing. I think food is important when it come to creativity. We need to feed our bodies. I think the group's favorite recipe of mine is my Zucchini Bread recipe. However, I think Blueberry Boy Bait is a close second. I found it at Cook's Country (www.cookscountry.com) when I was looking for something new to do with blueberries that I had and wanted to use. I've since found it in many, many places. I love the story behind the recipe as much as I enjoy the desert. 
In yesterday's mail was a letter from Ronda! I had written all the women who I interviewed a thank you note and have been in the process of sending them the feedback and comments on their quilts. So I have to admit I have been disappointed that I had not heard from any of them. Getting the letter from Ronda was exciting and still was even after I read it. Written in small handwriting in the darkness of her cell at 1 a.m., she asked me 20 questions. And some of them were down right tough! "If you had to describe yourself in 5 words, what 5 words would you use?" "What thing do you take for granted that you wouldn't have o be able to do if you were locked up in prison?" "Tell me the most beautiful place you have ever been." "What lifts you up when you are down?" I spent more than 3 hours and seven pages to answer her. I also sent her a couple of photos of my recent quilts (she asked). I worry that the answers about my religion might not sit well with her. Time will tell. I knew when I met her that she was going to cause me to stretch and grow and her letter proved that to be true. If you want to read what I posted about Ronda, you can click below on Ohio Reformatory for Women and find info there or check my July 30th entry. For now, I will anxiously await another letter.
Today is my birthday. I've never been comfortable with my birthday. Just so you know, it's not about the getting older part. It goes back to my childhood and I won't bore you with those details. Instead I will share with you how I have dealt with this day. When I was 24, I was pregnant with my first son, Jeremiah. I knew being a mother meant that I had to be the best person I could be. So for my birthday, I decided that each year I would give myself a gift. One year I would give myself the gift of letting something go and the next year I would gift myself by embracing something. Over the last 30 years, I have had to revisit some things. Dealing with clutter and simplifying my life have taken many years and I'm still not there yet. Wish I could be more Zen like. Some years I have cried a lot as I struggled. Some years were filled with so much joy that I thought I would burst. Some years life had a different plan. The year I decided to do something that scared me changed my life in a very big way. I went to Georgia (country not state) which lead me to a couple years of incredible adventures including travel with the quilts of Gee's Bend. Overall, it's been an interesting process of self discovery. I've learned I'm capable of more than ever thought possible. 
I am so pleased to share with you Christina's finished "Women of Juarez" quilt. This is Christina's second quilt! I hope you agree that she has amazing talent. I can't wait to see what she does next. I also believe more than ever that my belief in expression first works. The proof is in the quilts. I am so blessed to be able to have the women in this group in my life.
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