Today I had the absolute delight of speaking to a 5th grade class – via Zoom – in California. A few months ago they read an article about my quilt “Rocky Mountain Poison” and decided to all write me letters about my artwork. I offered to respond to their questions, and today was the day we all met online. The message I gave them was this: Don’t ever let someone tell you that making art is not important. Sometimes art (which includes music, theater, dance, quilts, etc.) expresses our feelings and our message more profoundly than words. They got it! And they have a lot to say!
I have been worried about the fate of the planet since I was 14 years old. I started worrying about endangered species and pollution when I was in high school. These days I don’t worry. I take action. Our company donates 2% to a list of charities which includes the Ocean Conservancy, the Wild Foundation, plus others like the Endangered Species Coalition. In fact I met with the executive director of ESC while I was in Washington DC in March. Leda Huta and I have met a few times now, to brainstorm about Art/Activist collaborations.
Several years ago I just happened to be in New York for “Quilters Take Manhattan” when a huge Climate March was taking place. I joined 400,000 others, marching for Mother Earth, and all her precious wildlife and wild places. As a result of that experience we designed this Love Your Mother panel, which was the foundation of a quilt challenge and exhibit. But I use it as a colorful banner when I go to peacefully protest for climate justice and endangered species. I have also made prayer flags out of the smaller Earth block panel. Whenever I go to a gathering with my banner, I look for the young person who is most engaged, and I give them the banner or the prayer flags. When I tell them I designed the fabric, they are even more excited. The last one I went to was at the site of our city’s fire that burnt 1100 homes in a few hours.
April is Earth Month, and later this month we will observe Earth Day. We still have several different Earth panels/banners in stock, if you want to bring one to your local Earth Day gathering.
We are featuring the work of Barbara Lavallee, author of “Mama Do You Love Me?”, in this collage above. (And yes that is me holding one of our Love Your Mother panels.) I read Barbara’s book to our kids when they were little, and it was one of their favorite stories. I love the whimsical dancing Mamas.
When I go to these Earth Day gatherings, it is the Mamas and Grandmas who come out in force. But we love when the Papas and Grandpas come out too! How can YOU speak up for Mother Earth this month?
This e-newsletter is dedicated to Mrs. Mahar’s students. You are awesome!
Sharing your love of fabric,
Luana and Paul
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