Ouch.
It’s been an entire month since I have posted an Image Journal. Just what the heck have I been doing?
I packed up six boxes of fabric to send parcel post to the McColl Center for Art + Innovation. They were waiting for me when I got there.
I spent about 100 hours doing this. I know what you are thinking. The fun NEVER stops around here.
300 dollars worth of school supplies looks like this. We’ve got three kids in three schools this year.
Son #1 has requested I not mention his name on the blog so that when girls goggle him, unflattering photos do not appear. I’ve agreed to comply.
Son #2 The first day of Middle School!
Son#3 He really doesn’t have a Jay Leno chin, it just looks like it in this photo.
We made a quick trip to McCarthy to Fire Wise our property.
And visit the new town outhouse. Thank you Tamara for your persistence–you made it happen. And thank you to the Hegland family for their generous donation of the land where the outie sits.
We enjoyed this year’s Tall Tales event. Walt was a judge. It was a great evening filled with story telling thanks to the Wrangell Mountain Center and the Golden Saloon.
Then it was back to Anchorage where I finished nine minis.
Then I packed my bags and flew across the country to arrive at the McColl Center for Art + Innovation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hello heat. I love you. I also love Trader Joe’s where I now get to shop for groceries. Doesn’t that look yummy?
I set up a new studio space.
I went to a mega fabric store called Mary Jo’s Cloth Store. It felt a little bit like going to heaven except I had to pay for what I wanted. I think it would be free in heaven. Right?
I made a new friend. Her name is Jessica Whitbread. She is my neighbor at the condos and at the studio space. Jessica’s art merges art and activism, and you can read more about it here.
I kitty sat for my other new friend painter Beverly McIver. Beverly, if Bona is kidnapped, I had nothing to do with it.
I have seen my long time friend Amy twice, but have failed to take her picture. Amy and I have been friends since we were 20 years old, and it has been wonderful to reconnect. I did admire her amazing banana trees. Aren’t they beautiful. We sure don’t have any banana trees in Anchorage.
I finished Haru and am kind of happy with its strangeness. Although I did have to eat an ENTIRE humble pie when I realized I could not properly quilt this piece on my domestic machine. If only I could channel Sandra Palmer Ciolino.
I had the honor of being interviewed by Malka Dubrawksy for her blog A Stitch in Dye. You can check out the interview here.
There was a nice write-up in the Charlotte Observer about the the new artists at the McColl Center. You can read all about it by clicking here.
Lastly, I’ve been checking out the grates in downtown Charlotte. I like them.
And words. Yep. There is something brewing with words as well.
What have you been doing dear readers? I hope its good times for all of you.
Hi Maria… hoping you are thoroughly invested at the new studio… so admire your tenacity and commitment to your art! How hard is it to get a residency like this! You are definitely deserving – with a hugely amazing body of work! HAVE FUN… get that pile of solid fabrics rocking..!!! Be happy..time is flying by.
Bethany in Kingston, ON
Thank you Bethany! I apologize for the delay in replying but please know I love that you stop by and comment. It means a lot to me.
3 disparate comments:
I like the epic span of this post from Anchorage to McCarthy to NC.
It’s interesting how your version of heaven and mine look so similar.
Haru has an overall movement that I haven’t seen in your other quilts. Like the whole quilt is trying to slink off into the lower left corner.
Thanks for sharing–I love living vicariously through you.
Dear Petra- Thank you for your comments. They are always clever and smart. I like that.
I so enjoyed your post. it is great to see recent pix of the boys..they are really Growing up! I have been trying to take pix of my “Minionettes”(marionettes) to send to a gallery
in Eureka Springs Arkansas so that they can choose what they want to display.I can really understand your frustration with photography.It’s another craft that I have no interest in learning, but am being forced to do.It looks as if you are having a great time in North Carolina.I am sure you will do wonderful things.
Sue- I think we have to either study photography or pay someone! I’ve gone with the later. Although while here in Charlotte, I’ve been surrounded by good photographers and it shows! I hope the gallery loves them.