Thursday, December 01, 2005

Redwork

There is a kind of work that I make that I cannot teach. NOT because I haven't tried.

I just can't translate into process this kind of quilting. It is improvisational and one has to be able to feel some sort of compatibility in the arrangement of the shapes at hand, plus one must have the shapes already there. And in a class, I can't have the students bring prefused fabrics in all colors, in large chunks leftover from previous works.

Nevertheless, this is the kind of work that thrills and delights me and gets me hopping out of bed early, not in an anxiety ridden state, but in a rush of excitement to continue working, and building and seeing where the work will take me today.


Note how these pieces just line up so nicely. It is all so serendipitous. That's the thrilling part.

I made the determination yesterday to work with RED. I have never ever made such a decision in my whole career. Why? Because I have been labled with the moniker " All Color All the Time" and never questioned it. Duh. The revelations just seem to be pouring out of me these days.




OK, so I have to add a hot contrast every so often. The work tells me when.

I can't teach this because it comes from some idefinable place within me. It may be the only original thing I can do, that is actually ME. I can't find the answers in a book, altho I try, and they aren't on the web either, altho I did google red paintings, just in case.

So why do I even consider thinking about teaching in connection with making quilts like this? I dunno. I always think, 'Can this be taught?' The teacher is always there wanting to turn experiences of doors opening for me, into doors opening for my students.

7 comments:

  1. Now we are talking painterly....this is it....and, of course, you have developed the all illusive "series" you have been after. Do we have stars in common with our current posts, it seems something cosmic at work here?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous10:47 AM

    Melody, Melody!! These are taking my breath away!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am amazed at the sheer creative force and the amount of work.
    Wonderful, and I'm so glad you're sharing!
    Of course you can't teach the intangibles of artistic spirit, you can only provide inspiration, opportunity and the tools of technique. It will be different for everyone, yes? Jen

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous2:32 PM

    these are just yummy. I want to wrap myself in these luscious colors while wearing DebR's "red wicked shoes".....Must go to my chaise and lounge now, margarita anyone? Dee

    ReplyDelete
  5. These two pieces are stunning. They are ready to quilt and complete. They need nothing else. You have gotten the "less is more" that you have been striving for. I am proud of you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous9:27 PM

    Beautiful work Mel!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous11:39 PM

    I don't think you can teach this. I noticed in Sue's class that she tried to get people to work on abstract designs and so many people ended up with flowers and houses leaves, etc. Your working in a series comes fairly close to teaching abstract designm, but I've noticed many just don't get it. Of course, I do! Right?

    I love the red pieces.

    ReplyDelete

Hello,
So nice of you to drop by. I love your comments, and if you would really like a reply, please email me at fibermania at g mail dot com