Sunday, May 18, 2025

My quilts help me to be brave.


Last Tuesday Rachel from Breaking the Blocks / Crafty Monkees interviewed me.  She asks artists to talk about their lives and how their artwork helps them cope. I woke up that morning wondering what I might say. 

What are my "blocks"?  

How do I "break" them?  



One block would be isolation but the internet broke that one for me. 

Another could be the mothering of four kids.   Many people would say this.

Except that I truly believe that motherhood gave me a subject and a reason to create so it was not a block for me.  It was a door.

Maybe I could talk about the breakthrough that happened when I became aware of my inner world and how huge it is and how stitching gives that world to me.  


It's interesting that this interview comes along at the same time as I've been working on my memoir.

My recent self study gave me more confidence when I spoke with Rachel.   


1.  I grew up in an isolated rural place with lots of books and art supplies and plenty of solitude.

2.  I met and married Ned early and had the four kids.  We determined to raise them with natural beauty outside their door.  Around age 30 I discovered how I could use traditional quilt pattern as a code to tell the intimate stories that were happening in my life.  I did a lot of teaching of watercolour painting, art quilting and classical piano for about 20 years along with full time parenting.  It was a busy time. 


3  In 2005, we had an empty nest and this began a new period.  Digital photography.  The internet.  
In 2006, I started writing this blog.   I took a degree in embroidery from the UK.  I retired from in-person teaching.  Over the next twenty years I stepped back into solitude and into the inner world.  


4  I guess that I am now in the period of my 'late work'.  


The unavoidable fact of life is death, but handmade quilts challenge that.  My quilts will outlive me.

Human mortality is a major 'block' for everyone but those of us who create hand-made objects break that block.   


All the images in this post are of a piece that I thought was finished.  See it here on my website.   I cut it in half up the middle and put a lovely wool batt in between the two pieces.  I've really been enjoying stitching it during this beautiful month of May.  

The title will stay the same:  Sky With Many Moons.

The podcast is available where ever you get your podcasts. Rachel called our podcast The Art of Imperfection.  Here is a link.   

6 comments:

Rachel Pierman said...

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me Judy. It was a wonderful life affirming chat and I’m so glad it’s given you something to think about and some confidence. I’m scheduling it for 31st May on all podcast platforms and the breaking the blocks YouTube channel so people can see you! Thank you again. A lovely way to spend a few hours!

Julierose said...

Sky With Many Moons is a stunning piece, Judy--beautiful work on this one...aging certainly brings these thoughts to our minds...
hugs, Julierose

Stephanie said...

This quilt is mesmerizing, which is a word I may often use in describing the effect of your art upon me.

Pamela Hastings said...

I love getting permission from your work to do abstract stitching as one of my prime ways to deal with current stress and fears and revulsion in the USA...I'm working on a piece inspired by ebond's fabric and the LA Fires, using quilting, piecing, soft sculpture and a running stitch. My brother, David Owen Hastings, may do the quilting.

alicia said...

I adore this quilt. the beautiful of all the stitches! you work always inspires me!

Nancy said...

Judy~ I can't describe the peace that came over me as I read this post and viewed your images...silk the color of water and trees the color of evolution of self. Thank you will have to be enough. Nancy