I am eager to show you what I’ve been working on lately, but I have to admit that I am treading a little more carefully these days. Who knew that there were folks who would take my art so personally and want to threaten me because of it? Should I just stick with those sweet happy quilts with the calicoes and kittens that entertain without necessarily meaning anything?
Don’t get me wrong, I am still working on sweet happy traditional patchwork quilts. (See above.) I believe in practicing patchwork techniques and learning new ones in order to maintain my sewing skills. And I respect all quilts and all quilters. This is hard work and I am eternally impressed by what can be done in patchwork.
But I am also finding it useful to work out some current thoughts and feelings through art quilting. In many ways, this is the only way I feel I can react to some adversity. It is impulsive. It is real.
These three quilts happened in the past two weeks; from concept to quilting. They lack binding, but I might go ahead and show them to you anyway. There is a fourth, which is really the third in the series. It’s all basted up and awaiting quilting. The one on the top of the stack was the first one made. It is the one that means the most and might challenge even the most willing viewers, so it’ll be the last one seen. Probably two this week and two next week…and I might restrict access somehow.
Here’s the idea:
We are always tiptoe-ing along the boundaries of the question “what is a quilt”? For the moment, let’s accept that a quilt is a covering we let embrace us to keep us warm. We choose our quilts based on preferences, of course, and one dimension in our choice has to do with the images of ourselves projected by our choice. But our identities are not only internally self-determined. Sometimes external entities (like our parents, our communities, and “Nancy”) label us and–like a quilt–these labels can hide, consume, and/or suffocate us.
Working title: Who I Think You Think I Am.
beautiful hexagons. but wow, am I ever intrigued with the new quilts. I am sooo impressed that you worked them up so quickly. I accept your definition of quilt. (Although my definition includes quilts that go up on the wall – they keep my house warm.)
You’re work is wonderful, and I believe that as long as people make things with their hands, be it a quilt or otherwise, it’s all good! I love learning form those who use traditional techniques as well as those who do it their own way – there’s so much to learn and enjoy from one another!
Do your thing, I say…
Well, I cannot wait to see what you’ve been working on. I’m intrigued …
I can’t wait to see these quilts and I know I’m not alone. I’d say you’re a pretty successful artist if you’re evoking such strong emotions from people. If you think of art as meaning to evoke feelings then you are winning!. huzzah! :)
I hope you share your quilts, and your inspirations. I have a kid with diabetes. When we go through spells when her blood sugar is messed up, I really want to make something that shows the anger, and the unfairness of it all. I have started, but never finished. I edit myself because I am afraid for others to see the rawness. It is interesting to see the work of someone who is willing to go for it… and have a laugh at the same time.
4 quilts in 3 weeks?! I am crazy impressed. And excited to see what you have been working so diligently on! I am a firm believer that quilting is a form of therapy, and can be used to help keep ones sanity.
great work as usual. Don’t let people get you down. Quilting/stitching etc is an art medium to you, and what is art without inspiration, emotion, expression… which sometimes is not overly PC.. but that really shouldn’t even apply, as real art is created FOR the artist.. when you start making art to please others you will lose the reasons you did art in the first place. Hopefully you get what I’m saying, I’m not too deep on mondays lol.
Thanks for leaving us hanging
Anna
http://www.akginspiration.com
I only just found your site – someone linked to a link of a link & I stumbled upon it, abut I was immediately hooked by the concept of your 7-words-quilt. I loved it, (so obviously I’m not, perhaps, the most moderate in my own quilting tastes,) but I have to say I hate seeing such a talented and creative and ORIGINAL quilter/blogger having to consider self-censoring.
People on the internet love to hate. They love to squelch and standardize and intimidate, and I’m so sorry you had to be the recipient of that. However, I hope you won’t let them shut you down, won’t let them shut you up. There’s room in every craft for ducks&bunnies AND edgier projects & I hope you keep sharing your creative vision with us (well, with me!) You’ve inspired me to revisit quilting, specifically the concept of quilting with words, and I’m going to feel cheated if I don’t get to see more of your gorgeous work just because some people are not appreciative and want the entire world to conform to their narrow world-view. Best to you.
I am fascinated by how you take your technical expertise in this medium and transform it into something so expressive. I for one cannot wait to see them, if/when you choose to share them.
Not all quilters are brave enough to put something like that on a quilt. Not all crafters are brave enough to craft whatever they want. And not all bloggers are brave enough to put all the things they make on their blogs. So people can shove it. I am just thanking you for being brave.
Threatening you, because of your Quilt? (I can guess which one it is)
Sprogblogger said it quite well.
While I wouldn’t feel comfortable expressing myself in such raw ways with art and quilts, I can see the need at times to say or express such words and respect your right to do so. It makes me sad that you’ve been attacked for your expression. You gave us warning in your posts about the contents – so we could just skip over it if we felt the need to do so. (And I did with small ones in the house – easy peasy.)
I wonder if people take a more personal affront because it is in an rss feed or arrives in their email inbox or that it’s the internet and they can just be nasty and think they won’t be found out. (Shaking my head at the stupidity of people sometimes when it comes to the web.) Shame on them.
I have to say, I am thrilled you are showing these to us. I come from a fine art background rather than a sewer’s background. From that perspective, I appreciate your work deeply – you’re one of the very few actual quilt artists I can find who is really pushing the envelope of what they can say. A quilt can be more than a household item to keep us warm. A quilt can spur the intellect on or keep the soul warm, too. Keep on keeping on. The internet is not a kind place, but I’m happy to be one of those voices on the internet to tell you that what you’re doing has the potential to touch other people very deeply.
I was sent a link to your blog about a month ago and fell in love. I love your techniques on quilting w/ words but more than that I love how theraputic it is for you. I’m a very novice quilter but I’m not new to the arts and crafts. When a craft becomes so attached to emotions it becomes art. Bravo for sharing with the world and inspiring others.
I found your blog about a month ago, and it among others has inspired me to have a go at quilting. (Rather than, um, just buying and hoarding fat quarters. Sigh.) I am in slight awe of your skill, your way with colour, and your fantastic translation of concept to quilt. So I say bugger ’em – you can’t keep everyone happy, and I hope the commenters over the last week or so can convince you that the 95th percent of us think you’re absolutely inspired. Hell, most artists, writers, craftspeople – and every politician in the world ever – would be jumping for joy with that kind of support. Don’t let the tiny minority crush your confidence. They don’t deserve to be able to do that.
I feel like I have already learned a lot from you through your work. I appreciate the honesty that you approach your craft with, and I don’t think there’s anything that would change the level of respect I have. I’m eager to see what you have to share.
We all need our outlets to deal with frustration. I love that you’ve chosen quilting to be your outlet.
I cross my fingers and hope that I am privy to your beautiful and thought provoking art when you share it.
Perfectly said!
C, I say keep doing what you are doing. You always give fair warning just in case someone may find your post offensive. This is your blog and you do what you please with it. :)
My brother sent me a link to your blog and I keep thanking him over and over again. I love your point of view and your work is stunning and original. You inspire me every day. Thank you for sharing your creativity with the world. The vast majority of us are very appreciative. Screw the rest of them.
I don’t take the time to comment as often as I want (should) but your space is a joy to read each day. I’m amazed by your skill, by your productivity, and by your creativity that seems to know no bounds. I’m also impressed by your willingness to take on hard subjects…whether expressed via words, art, or both. I hope that a few folks, obviously insecure enough in their own skins that they feel the need to lash out at others, won’t change that.
BTW–oh, the hexagons!
As much as I like bunnies and kittens and all, I hope you won’t limit your postings to them! Your work is obviously challenging and provocative, but this is the internet- if someone doesn’t like it, they don’t have to look at it. Kudos to you for challenging yourself to create work that is meaningful and expressive to you and having the ovaries to put it out there.
What moves me is that you are true to yourself.
Oh I hope that you won’t censor yourself or limit access to the pictures of your quilts.
I only stumbled on your blog this weekend and love what i have read.
I think some people have to be more grown up and if they don’t like something they are reading or they don’t like a movie then don’t look at it. because they are hidden and you don’t know who they are they feel free to be mean spirited and nasty – when instead they could write something that would start a dialog and discussion or they could choose to not read and move on..
what i love about the internet is all the ideas and inspiration. Life isn’t all cute and cuddle ly and some times the world around us just sucks.
i am fascinated by the idea of using a quilt as a form of expression. i know that sounds really “duh” and, of course, sewing i’ve done does express something about me, my tastes and style (and possibly my personality?). but the way you seemingly fearlessly use sewing and quilting as a way to work through things is inspiring.
haters gonna hate! I’m sad that the negative comments have made you feel like you need to be more careful about what you say and what you post. Your art is beautiful, and the statements you make are even more so. I happen to love each and every quilt you make and I enjoy all of yours posts, “hateful” words and all. This is your space and you are free to say and post anything you like. Please don’t censor yourself because of a few hateful people. As you said, if they don’t like it, they shouldn’t read.
hard not to tread carefully after what you experienced. i hope tho, that it will not stifle your art quilting. plenty of sweet happy out there. i appreciate thought provoking pieces.
It has recently occured to me that sometimes, people do not like to have the notions they are comfortable with challenged. And when they see others doing things in, say, “their” craft that they find challenging they feel threatened. Unfortunately, instead of voicing their thoughts in some sort of contructive way to add to the dialog of art, craft or what-have-you the resort to rudeness or pettiness.
I have been thinking a great deal about the issues you have been raising on your blog (mostly because I have been quilting a good deal lately, and sometimes I have this thought that, “oh, C would like this” while I am working–that was my Little House on the Prairie moment, you can go back to noramally scheduled media now).
That last comment cuts right to the heart.
Anxiously…
Bring it on! The haters can go live in their own little rose-colored boxes.
dear cauchycomplete, you really really should not feel the need to justify your artistic choices. what you produce is art. and art in itself is only worth something if it moves you. otherwise it is not art, only something, something which is exchangeable. have a nice week!
I hope you don’t start to censor yourself or restrict what you put up on here because of the “Nancy’s” of the world. However it is your blog and your life so the choice is up to you.
It’s a sad thing that a few bad apples can spoil things for the rest of us, the ones who enjoy your ability to take ideas and push them into new venues. I’m not a quilter, probably never will be a quilter; but, I find your work extremely inspiring and hope that you don’t have to end up censoring your blog to deal with the angry outbursts of a few closed-minded individuals. However, I totally understand that this may end up being the case.
Anyway, I read every time you post. I rarely (have I ever?) commented. Just wanted you to know that there is at least one silent person who enjoys your word play, your exploration of ideas, and your willingness to take quilting into new territory.
I can’t wait to see your new stack of genius. Quilting has always interested, even fascinated me but has not been a primary outlet of mine. When I found your blog a few months ago, something shifted and I am falling in love–deeply in love–all over again with quilting. You are an incredible artist.
Isn’t there some pithy line about something isn’t worth doing if it’s easy? The fact that you are getting reactions and eliciting emotions means you are saying something true. Some will like that and some will not.
Thanks again, so much!, for sharing your work.
I’m not saying this is about me. I’m just saying that if I can’t see your quilts I’m going to be very upset. I look forward to every single post. You are feeding my brain. The powerful truth telling is extremely healthy. Quilting does not belong to anybody. It never did and it never will.
I was recently led to your blog from another blog’s link and I was so freshly inspired by everything I have seen here. I think, often times, people who hide behind the veil of internet anonymity are the very people who would (in real life) smile to your face and persecute you behind your back. They use the internet to say things that they never could in real life. I also think that people like “Nancy” and others who elect themselves as The Quilt Police are insecure and scared that their craft will change and that they will no longer be relevant. Please continue to show your (uncensored) work here. It’s relevant. And inspiring. And it’s YOUR blog.
I have been lurking for weeks but today wanted you to know that i enjoy what you do. everyone brings something new to the table. if people are uncomfortable, then don’t stop by. Don’t let the nancys of the world rain on your parade. quilt on!
Even though I’m not a longtime reader of your blog I really hate to see you struggling with this issue. Don’t make them the victor! It is your art to share and display as you please. I’ve truly enjoyed your art and your openess and I hope you find a way to make it work without censoring your self.
You gotta do what you gotta do, and if that means express yourself with harsh words in a soft medium, then go for it! I accept your definition of a quilt, and I accept that quilts can be art. I WANT to see those envelopes pushed, and I WANT to see what’s going on it your mind. I hope that others who don’t want to see it can just pass on through without stopping, because I’d hate to see you stop doing what you are compelled to do just because of “them.”
BTW, mixed in with all the cute and traditional, my angry raw side comes through too (sometimes): http://kristinlaflamme.com/musings/?p=984, http://kristinlaflamme.com/musings/?p=989 and http://kristinlaflamme.com/musings/?p=1765
Your quilts are wonderful, ALL of them! This is your blog, and you must use language fit for YOUR purpose. You can’t please everyone. Ignore the trolls and keep doing what you love. I don’t find your language mean spirited at all. If people don’t like it, they can move on… it was quite rude of that person to comment the way they did. As I said, YOUR blog, YOUR rules.
ignore “nancy” and the others of her ilk. Weren’t the vast majority of your comment positive? We’re all intrigued by your work and love to see it, so come on, show it and forget the critics!
I cannot believe that in this totally messed up world we live in that there are people who would be upset by YOUR self-expression on YOUR blog!!! For God’s sake–get a life!!! I love your blog, and I don’t even quilt!!
I’m intrigued!
I love this latest series of posts. It’s making me think more about why I make and what it means or IF it means anything and if it doesn’t mean anything why doesn’t it? I tend to be a clear-your-mind-of-thought crafter or a keep-your-hands-busy crafter so the thought of intentional, thought-provoking crafting is really interesting and challenging to me.
hey, i just came across your blog this weekend and i crazy love your swearing. and i saw that you were down because not everybody is nice on the internet. fuck them, girl! do what you want and love what you do. my favorite? the pillow case that says, “Sleep tight, muthafucka!” ah, you remind me of myself about 8-10 years ago, before i cleaned up my filthy mouth. stand tall and don’t let anybody push you around.
I found your blog not too long ago and I just want you to know its one of my faves…swear words and all. (Maybe I live vicariously thru you since I can’t swear so freely anymore around my 3 y.o.)
Please, please, please keep posting freely. I love your work and also your thought provoking posts.
To those who post so negatively I would ask…Are there not so many other dire situations and truly awful things going on in this world to get our ire up about? Lets hate on someone who is doing something truly harmful and hurtful to others.
I am not quite sure I understand why someone would be so upset. Its your blog and they are on their computer. They can choose to visit your site or not. As a beloved Canadian band Rush put it “I will choose free will”.
I can’t wait to see your quilts. I am not very good with anything sewing related, every stitch made by machine or hand is filled with my agony of doing it right, of my quilt looking handmade and not homemade, there is a difference. Unfortunately I end up in the homemade pile more than the handmade. I’ve got 20 yrs worth of quilting magazines hoarded in my garage, I dream of making wonderful art quilts that exist just to show the world who I am, I see the work you do, the quilts you create, whether it is patchwork or naughty words and it get angry when people hurt you because you are sharing something very intimate. Yes, quilts are coverings for beds but quilts have also been a very personal form of expression for women who had no other voice. I love your voice and hope you keep sharing. I find your work a constant inspiration. It’s unique and wonderful and most importantly YOU.
The haters can go hate somewhere else. Those haters are probably people that burn books without reading them because they can’t even remotely begin to understand the contents between the covers. They are ignorant and not worth one minute of your time or consideration.
Sorry to ramble, please keep doing what you’re doing and sharing!
Oh dear. I haven’t been offended by anything you’ve put up. What does that say about me? :-) I look forward to your posts more than any other blogger’s, and I think you are so kind to take the time to reply. The things you create are so beautiful, and I love this little piece of the Internet so much.