Fibermania

Taking a day off

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I just counted the number of quilts I have made so far this year...31.

No wonder my arm is sore.

Only one of these is unfinished, as it should be, since it is a class sample.

The year began with the internal realization that I needn't make a single new work this year, since I had plenty of quilts already and could 'get by' with past work and samples, resting on my laurels as it were.

Letting myself off the hook like that actually allowed me to play in such a way that I feel revolutionized artistically.

And I have let go of allowing others to dictate what my art should be.

This is big.

Why in the world did it take me so long to do this? One reason is that I wanted to be a success, and felt I needed to play by the rules. I worked hard to do the right things to accomplish those goals, to win prizes, to teach, to sell, to make a living.

Now I am looking closely at retiring and working away from home less and less, and finally feel that I am making the kind of art I really want to make.

So the transition will be to find a way to make and show the art, keeping it under my control and keeping it all enjoyable, stress free and really mine.