Quilters love symmetrical shapes, especially geometric shapes like Stars and Flowers that can be dissected into shapes and stitched into blocks. Taking something that is wild and growing, and expressing it in an orderly symmetrical shape helps us to feel like we have more control over the rest of our lives. When we can sit down and make 10 or 20 blocks that are consistent, it gives us a feeling of satisfaction. That’s how many of us start out as quilters…making Star Blocks or Flower Blocks…right?
Some of my favorite fabrics are brilliant combinations of ordered symmetry and wild chaos. A field of flowers. A starry sky. Splashy abstract prints that have been cut up and tamed into a large scale traditional quilt, thereby making it something new and different. The Inner Child loves to teeter back and forth between structure and creative pandemonium. Make a plan, then take off on an unplanned tangent. Organize colors, and then throw them on the table to audition unexpected combinations.
When I get about halfway into a new project I always have about a week of doubt, wondering why I was so crazy to take on such a stupendous leap of faith. I just finished a week where I transitioned from paralyzing paranoia to happy dancing in the studio, as a creative gambit came into focus and I let out a huge sigh of relief. Have you had that experience too? I think it is pretty common for us creative types.
When we are stressed, our automatic pilot tends to turn on and go to something safe and predictable. However in these unpredictable times, as artists, we can travel too far down that tidy rabbit hole if we are not paying attention. This week I’d like to challenge you to take a walk on the wild side, with some exploding kaleidoscopes, permission to vision quest, or serendipitous creative backflips as an escape from the madness of the world outside. Inside our maker spaces we find joy, focus and purpose…and then “All’s right with the world.” (Robert Browning)
In case you missed the Saturday e-newsletter:
Last week my interview was featured on the Quilting Arts Podcast, on the topic of COLOR.
Look for Quilting Arts Episode 5 wherever you find your podcasts!
with hope for the future…
Luana and Paul
