One of the great thrills for wildlife photographers is being able to capture a great shot. It is as thrilling as the experience of an avid birder, spotting that one bird they’ve been searching for all their life. Whether we are a photographer or a birder, sometimes we have traveled great distances to capture that moment that can never be repeated but will always be in our heart.
But in order to get that beautiful shot or spot that rare bird in your binoculars and get that rush of adrenaline, you have to prepare, sometimes for years. You buy the right equipment, you spend time with those fellow fans who are more experienced to absorb their wisdom, and you practice taking photos or learning to spot birds in the wild. This is what I call watering the garden of the creative soul. It is the same as a musician practicing scales for years and years so someday they can play in the orchestra.
These days out West we have to plant a xeriscape garden that will still attract the birds, or pollinators. (We are in a drought.) We prepare our soil, we plant the seeds or young seedlings, we water carefully, and in time we are rewarded with that moment of magic when the stars line up, the flower blooms, and the migrating hummingbirds stop to feed right outside your window, and your camera is within reach.
Creativity is much the same. We plant the seeds, we water the garden, we wait for the ripening fruit and seasonal migration to coincide. We collect fabric & notions, we invest in a good sewing machine, we learn and practice our skills, we find our local quilting tribe (guild), we have a creative brainwave, we set a goal to make something in time for an exhibit deadline or an event like a wedding or a birth….and the thrill we feel from this accomplishment is something we never forget. But it is more about the journey than the destination. We are always thinking of our next creative project!
For those of you avid birders, I want to remind you that we are constantly collecting 3 categories of bird fabrics for you, so you can put those avian dreams and bird-watching memories into your own quilts. (See the 3 small images/links above.)
In times such as these, we need to constantly water the Creative Soul. What can you do to water your Creative Garden now, so you can harvest the sweet juices later this year?
…sharing your love of fabric,
Luana and Paul
* The Owl photo at the center of the collage was taken by Luana in June 2021.
