It's funny you know...
As I've been stitching away on these leaves, I've been thinking about all kinds of things: my childhood in Northern Ontario; the sun dappled summer leaves that brought me so much pleasure; about how, in adulthood, that I *still* stroke leaves whenever I get the chance, and that both the stroking of the leaves and the hugging of trees (yes, I hug trees... what? :D ) brings peace and sweetness back to my life; and I thought that it was no wonder that trees have figured so largely in my development as an artist.
(I wonder, do Hostas bring the same pleasure to Elaine Quehl? Is that why she's been making hostas for lo these many years?)
But.
Back to these hand-stitched leaves... they've also made me think about my development as an artist... 'cuz whoa - if you've been with me for more than a year (and it's hard to tell - my followers list waxes and wanes and I never know whether it's people who used to be with me coming back, or if it's just new people), but, I digress - if you've been with me for more than a year - you know that even as recently as a year ago, I was all... "I HATE handwork".
And now, well... I kind of like it. *shhh!*
When I used to wrestle my bed quilts through my little domestic sewing machine I found I had a lot of thinking time. All of that repetitive sewing and quilting is meditative - and now, with hand-stitching - though my fingers are raw from being jabbed with the needle, I'm finding the same thing. Hand stitching has allowed my brain and heart to be open and receptive.
Over the years, as I have pursued my two-pronged goal of 1. "making the things I see in my head" and 2. "get better", many of the things I held to be true about "what I like" and even, some things about "what I believe" have changed or fallen by the way side. I've been shedding as I grow and hardly took the time to notice.
That forward trajectory is good - lord knows I don't want to remain stagnant in my life, my heart, my brain, OR my work; but sometimes it's good to look back at where you came from so you can see where you're going, y'know? You don't want to travel in a circle!
(Well, maybe *you* do, and if you do, all joy in your path - but I don't.)
So, hand work is giving me an opportunity to dust off the thinking cap, and it's certainly sent my mind off on new tangents. It's not that the over-riding goal of my work has changed - I still am going to make illustrative art, I still want to illustrate my own book, I'll still work on the Whitewashed series when I need to - but I want to do more.
I want to talk about my people.
lol Okay, that made me laugh out loud as I typed it. It was so Moses-y. MY PEOPLE.
But really, it's true. I want to talk about my people's history.
Or rather, my father's people - which is where the African diaspora part comes in. (My mother is Native and French-Canadian, but my father is Nova Scotia Black - descended from Black Loyalists, here in Canada since 1775.)
I feel a connection with my father's people that doesn't come only from the colour of my skin, but also from what I can only describe as "genetic pull". If memory is carried in our cells (which some scientists believe); then the memories of my father's forebears are singing in my blood, and I feel like I must tell their stories.
I feel a connection with my father's people that doesn't come only from the colour of my skin, but also from what I can only describe as "genetic pull". If memory is carried in our cells (which some scientists believe); then the memories of my father's forebears are singing in my blood, and I feel like I must tell their stories.
So, let's see.
- Write and illustrate a book : 2 years, full time;
- Continue with the pieces I currently want to make for the Whitewashed series: 3 years, full time;
- Work on my new series : 5 years? 10 years? full time;
- Do the journeyman work in order to be able to make all those things in the first place? One year, full time.
And since I work a day job full time - triple all of those years.
Okay, so I'll be busy for the next little while. ;)
Back to the leaves - why the title of this post? Someone asked me on Monday what size the leaves were. :)
See you on Friday with more detail.
Though I often have a finish on Friday, I don't think this will be finished until next week!
Though I often have a finish on Friday, I don't think this will be finished until next week!
xo
Posts
Interesting post. Funny, I wasn't very fond of hand work not too long ago either, and now I love it! This piece is looking great...look forward to seeing what it looks like when it's done.
ReplyDeleteTHANK you for the close up. Yes. I understand. You DID hire microscopic spiders to spin the thread and mites to dye it. I am not at all sure how I discovered you but I am so glad I did. I enjoy seeing your work and getting a peek at your process (brain work as well as hand work.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this insight - as I'm one of those who "knows" you longer than 1 year, I think I can very good relate to what you're saying ... for me, it all sounds very much like "a growing / emerging artist speaking" !!
ReplyDeleteLots of deep thoughts there. :) I love that you feel drawn to the stories of part of your heritage. And it's so hard to figure out how to fit everything in that is important to us! At least you have years of wonderful pursuits for this stage of your life - this is a good thing. Hey, Kit - how do you do your machine stitching? Is it all free-motion? I'm comfortable doing free-motion quilting with my machine - no problems at all (well, mechanical, anyway!). But when I try to free-motion decorative stitch, it just won't work. In the regular sewing mode, the fabric just won't move freely enough under the foot even with the dogs down. In the FMQ mode, there's just way too much slack between the floating foot and the fabric, so the piece jumps up and down with the needle. I don't know if it's my machine, or me. Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteI love all your beautiful leaves...and the great thread work!
ReplyDeleteAnd it looks like you have a few years of "full time" work planned out in your future LOL
I believe I found you almost a year ago and I've loved every minute.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who dabbles in genealogy I can totally relate to your desire to document your "roots"...such an overused word but it gives a great visual picture. That image of digging down through the layers of old sediment. I've been doing research on my family and my husband's for about 12 years now and I'm determined to put it all down in some form for my children. They are too busy with their lives now but one day they might appreciate it:)
How truly wonderful that you fel that timeline pulling away at your soul like that Kit.
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew more about my way back in the past folks, so I wish you ever well with your written record.
I suspect you have a special magic tucked away that will enable you to do all the above simultainiously lol
Cracking weeeeeeeny leaves, you have the patience of Jobe hunny
Oh yes and FB just asked me to confirm you werent Spam!!
ReplyDeletedamned cheek of them !
Other than your new-found love for 'hand stitching' we have a lot in common !
ReplyDeleteI love trees and especially naked ones which I call ' ladies in waiting'. Most of my art is about trees, particularly pines, and I get into that zen mode
when I draw ... 'zentangles' let my brain relax, thinking about my own past and that of my ancestors, memories come back and ideas spring.
I had a great childhood here in southern Ontario, wandering farmers fields, playing in grown corn fields (ah ! ha !) and listening to the crickets and
grasshoppers in the silence that is country !
I can totally understand your love of these quiet moments with just your needle and memories.
oops ... got my hats mixed up again ... it's me ... threadpainter !
DeleteSo now you know the secrets of hand stitchers. Despite the sore fingers, it gives us lots of time to reflect. And who knows where that can lead. Can't wait to see what exploring your roots brings to your art....you've already made a start with your wonderful girl in the forest piece. So glad to see it on your home page header.
ReplyDeleteHi Kit - don't know how long I have been following you, but it must be at least a year. I love the 'political' work you did last year, which I guess comes from your heritage. I was not familiar with the term 'Black Loyalists' so thanks for that bit of education.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Kit. I love to "hear" you talk...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous gorgeous detail work. *...sigh...*
ReplyDeleteYes! My new series is about my heritage too. We similar in genetic mix, but are from opposite sides of the Mason-Dixon line and I wonder about the intricate differences and similarities in cultures. Hmm...?
! HAHA! hehe
ReplyDeleteI knew ya would.
I mean... how can you not? There's something magical about 'slow craft'.
After seeing you hand stitch, and then do more, and then a little more... I assumed you'd had a change of heart. : )))
~Monika
Great piece of work Kit, both the visual and the written. Trees and leaves have a known therapeutic ability. Have you heard of the Japanese phrase 'Shinrin-Yoku'? Roughly translated it means 'forest bathing' which is such a wonderful phrase. It is a form of walking meditation, producing a sense of calm amongst trees and their dappled leaves. What could be better I say.
ReplyDeletewell I've always love hand stitching since that's where I started - that said its a whole different vibe for me. Sometimes I get into a mood where I want the pandora blasting and my machine going mario andretti fast . . . .than other times its me and my quilt frame - and a 18 hr netflix marathon watching 7 seasons of my fav show - LOL! sooo a gemini!
ReplyDeleteInteresting read, Kit. I find it interesting delving into my ancestry. I grew up in NS, Scottish background. I am familiar with a little of the black history there. You have set yourself out some huge goals, but it feels good to work towards something.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved handwork, but often don't take enough time for it. I too find it meditative and like the affect when combined with machine work. It adds a nice layer of texture.
I've always felt an affinity for trees too. I don't know where it comes from. DNA memory?
Love the leaves! Nice to see your acceptance in using techniques you thought weren't for you! I have always love trees and/or the forest. My name means "forest wanderer" so it might be what draws me to them.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post. And your leaves are lovely.
ReplyDeleteI have been wondering where the heck Spring is...what has taken it so long to appear....well now I know....it is because you are hand stitching it...one new, delicate, gorgeous leaf at a time LOL!
ReplyDeleteI spent years running industrial sewing machines.....sew sew sew.....fast, faster, faster yet.....ah .....so now I relish every lovely moment I can with needle in hand. Yes there is something wonderfully meditative about the process.
Lovely work!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Kit. I had no idea you had a day job, too. You put us all to shame. And looking at family history allows us a wider perspective and situates us within a wider community that takes us beyond our personal daily struggles. Loved the leaves--so pleasing.
ReplyDeletebest, nadia