In my defense
Sherrill from Montreal commented:Enough with the zits and zats already. Where are your marvelously creative juices that created the orbit, cruciform and ellipses series?
Dear Sherrill,
I am sure you meant this in the nicest possible way, but you may not realize what I am doing here, with these smaller works. While my larger quilts may be more showy, I don't learn nearly as much when I do them as I am learning from doing a new composition every day. They may look like I am making the same design over and over, but in reality I am building on the theme. This is new for me and I am having a wonderful time with each nuance that comes to mind.
When I design a large quilt I spend a good deal of time and energy on one idea. When it is done, the enthusiasm for that idea is often finished too. And then I may show that quilt, put the price on it that reflects my time and experience and then it goes into my already overflowing closet filled with the other larger quilts.
After a while one begins to question the point of all this.
In November I quit doing this and went back to painting. Then to my surprise I learned more about quilting while I was painting than I would have dreamed. Part of this was that I was in a learning mindset, doing one or more compositions each day. When I returned to quilting, I used the same idea of series work that I had 'discovered' with my canvases.
It changed what and how I made quilts. I loved what was happening and don't regret this switch.
And now I am experimenting with horizontal layouts. I am still challenged by the format, the limited colors and the series elements.
I am learning to have the patience necessary to work out each day's design and to bring that lesson to the work the next day.
I can see no good reason to cut short this educational experience for myself.
AND don't you dare not carry on. Each day brings something wonderful and new and outstanding. It is akin to opening a spigot....let it all fall out so that you may learn and grow and we can admire the beauty of it all. How fortunate we are to be able to witness all of this. Carry on Ms. Melody Johnson. I am blessed to observe and read.
ReplyDeleteDear Melody,
ReplyDeleteWhat a patience in your answer!
As if you owe the readers an explanation of what you are doing..
From my lovely Caribean island (although there is hardly any quilting activity here) I thank you so much for the ongoing inspiration that your daily posts provide.
Regina, Sint Maarten (DWI)
Amen to the previous commenter. Is there anyone else in THE WHOLE WORLD who is putting themself out there in the public eye every single day with new, interesting, and inspiring content?!?! You are a quilting, knitting, and blogging goddess.
ReplyDeleteAnd...AMEN to Emily, too....
ReplyDeleteYou are the first blog I look at each day...you make my day...
I LOVE these new quilts... they are inspirational and wonderful to look like. They are a joy!!! Keep going gurl!
ReplyDeleteDITTO
ReplyDeleteOMG! I come here every morning for the zits and zats and then am sometimes treated to an amazing creation that has developed out of the zits and zats.
ReplyDeleteHave to agree with everyone else ... I love these new little works .. they are spectacular. Your colors inspire me! I think yesterday's piece is my new favorite.
ReplyDeletehmm. in response to zits and zats ... I think the best art is made for THE ARTIST. I don't consider myself part of that community, meaning I don't make my living producing art, but I have a huge interest in it - which is why I view this blog on a daily basis. Not that you need my endorsement, because you've already figured this out for yourself - but it seems the best way is your way .... whatever that is.
ReplyDeleteWell Mel, I love your ZITS & ZATS! - Keep up your awesome creativity :-) Oh how I wish I had all these ZITS & ZATS hanging on my walls!
ReplyDeleteHey Melody! This is the 3rd time I'm trying to write you a note-I hate computers! Anyway, I enjoy ogling(?) over your quilts any size you want to make them. You are such an inspiration to me. I know I've said this before, I wish you lived closer~I'd love to have as a friend. Keep doing what you enjoy. It takes a lot of drive and patience to do what you do~I hope one day to have that. Enjoy yourself with Dave-hope he is doing well-miss his blog too. Enjoy the rest of winter and hopefully Spring will be here soon.
ReplyDeleteQuilting along in OH!
I come here every day too, and this is one of only two blogs I make sure to check every day - I am interested to see whatever you are doing. You are an inspiration with your use of color. That is what attracted me to your work years ago, and that is what keeps me coming back. I love your artyness, and have also been inspired by your post about kitchen decluttering, your posts about what you're cooking, etc. Keep it up - do whatever you want - you are wonderful and your work is captivating.
ReplyDeleteWell I thank the reader who posted the question and I thank Ms Mel. for her reply/explanation....both of which served a very useful purpose....dialogue.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ms Mel. and keep going fearlessly. Few would be brave enough to show and expose their inner artistic mind and soul like you do for us to admire, love to bits or tear apart.
I love this new series...and look forward to seeing which color scheme is coming and composition is coming. Keep em coming!
ReplyDeleteJoanna
You are a brave woman to put the concrete products of your creativity and skill, both enormous, out there each day for all to see and comment upon.
ReplyDeleteYou are incredibly patient with explanations, which only serve to illustrate your amazing generosity.
Not only do you not owe us explanations of why you do what you do, you also do not owe us explanations of how you do what you do. In offering the information that you do, you are proving yourself to be absolutely amazing and the most sharing teacher I have ever come across. Do you have any idea how unusual you are?
By the way, I love the zits & zats, and
I am also one of those whose day begins with your blog.
yes..I quite agree with the others - keep on with the 'zits and zats'!..I start my day looking at whatever it is you post...it's one of my first stops in the blogosphere - I can hardly wait to see what you have come up with each morning! The riot of color and explosion of design gives me a tremendous amount of inspiration with every post.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, this reminds me of a saying from a very dear friend that took me nearly 20 years to grasp..."life is ALL PROCESS"! Keep on processing!
ReplyDeleteI can't beleive that somebody would have the hide to make such a comment. This is YOUR blog, where you put yourself out there for all to see because, well I don't know your reasons, but for me blogging is about sharing with a much wider community. You should NOT hae to explain yourself nor justify your work.
ReplyDeleteand I aplaud you taking the time to explain - even though you don't have to andcould well have just deleted said comment immediately.