Tuesday, August 14, 2018

This Old Map

A map project has been pinned in a corner of the design wall for over a year. Sigh. While ideas about my mother and family are swirling through my brain I also "need" to finish this project which started in a workshop with Valerie Goodwin at Empty Spools. Well, actually it started in a one-day workshop with her at my guild almost three years ago. Definitely past time to get it moving.

As an architect, Valerie uses multiple perspectives in her presentations which inspire her layered techniques in art. My map alternates between aerial and side views, expansive and close-up. At least, it does in my imagination. Getting it to fabric is the challenge.

Coit Tower map quilt in progress

I took her class with a friend. We were both excited beyond measure by the ideas spawned in Valerie’s class. I thought I was working on the lowest layer. Only as it neared completion did I realize the water layer is further “behind.” I’m unsure how to layer these overlapping regions without holes. That’s where it froze. No. That’s where I froze.

So I am determined to work on each layer individually and postpone the decision of how they mesh. This is not a bed quilt. It won’t matter how many layers I create nor how they are sewn. And the idea has been pushing at my psyche for a year. What’s the worst that could happen? It’s a flop. Well, I’ve experienced that before and survived.

Did you catch Maria Shell's recent post about the road to her summer home? Another map quilt.

I read this quote on Pamela’s blog recently:
“The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave it neither power or time.” Mary Oliver

Enjoy the day, Ann

16 comments:

Julierose said...

Fascinating to see your piece "in the making", Ann. thanks for sharing hugs, Julierose

Quiltdivajulie said...

Oh my goodness I could get lost for hours following the links in Maria's post to the other road prompt quilts - but life calls and I must delay that detour for later. I think your approach for working on one section at a time is a good one - letting yourself feel each area and then worrying about assembly later (same process I followed with my book's cover quilt - a long and winding road to be sure). Enjoy the process - that's what matters most.

Barb said...

Your map is so intriguing! I look forward to watching your process. I love the idea of layered perspectives. It reminds me of Picasso.
Thanks for the links and I love that quote too

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

The road to my daughter's school was really quite inspirational, and I often thought of making a map quilt from it - it had a lot of visual interest - a lake, a railroad, a white picket fence with horses, a gazebo, rows of trees, a bridge, etc., but I didn't get around to it, and now it has been a long time since I've driven down that road. Maybe someday.

Ann said...

Thanks, Julierose. It's very nebulous but it took a while to get to this stage.

Ann said...

Yes, those are some fabulous quilts. I think it's several morning coffees worth.
Thanks for pointing out that you worked in sections on your barn quilt. Hopefully, this will be a long, winding road. It's been a deadend for the last year. But I am getting inspired about it again. Thanks, Julie.

Ann said...

The layered perspectives drew me to have her come to the guild and then take her workshop at the retreat. She has so much information and such a different way of looking a things. Very sophisticated, layered.
That quote pushes me to quit stalling.

Ann said...

Oh, Shasta, your school road sounds fabulous. Isn't it a lesson to us all to strike while the iron is hot. Details do fade. I know you'll come up with a wonderful idea - new or old memory. You always have original quilts.

audrey said...

Your piece is so beautiful already. Love that layered look. Maria Shells quilt is stunning. I am such a fan of her work. Thanks so much for the inspiration link!

Ann said...

How kind of you, Audrey. I don't use much yellow but love how it glows here. Just a bit stumped over the next steps. I need to unsew a few things to get to the correct level.
Maria's work is lovely and again, it's uncanny how often I find other work that meets the current invitation. Who'd a' thought? Perhaps just because I'm actively looking.

Pamela said...

I love the map idea! I need to find out more about it. Thanks for reposting the quote. How true!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I entered a commment, had to verify with Google ( my password etc which I had to look up in a book ) and then the comment didn't show up so trying again lol / forgot what I said but I was here and it's lovely ; carry on :)

Ann said...

Thanks for writing, Pamela. I love the quote you posted. Such a good reminder to stretch ourselves. We're working on some kind of map this season. People have so many different ideas and are starting to post them on AdHocImprovQuilts.

Ann said...

I'm sorry you had trouble. Other blog sites give me issues. I guess this is part of the ongoing work to block hackers. We do get those regularly, don't we?

Mystic Quilter said...

So you are well on the way with your map! This is looking so interesting Ann, I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Ann said...

Well, sort of. This is not improvisational. I have some ideas to try but also want to finish this one. It's been on the design wall so long I've forgotten many details. I need to spend some time with it. Then I want to really try other ideas that have been running through my mind.