Things are getting more and more eccentric at Casa de la Swain. Changing styles in my textile work, falling in love again with painting and photography...and then there is the ever illusive quest for continuing creativity through working with Eric Maisel. Still on the road teaching, posting now at the Ragged Cloth Cafe and taking the pledge to keep handmaiden up to date.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

A Very Quick Update

Short and sweet since I have to meet my ride in in few minutes. I made it out of DFW 45 minutes late due to de-icing. We were apparently one of the few flight that got off that day as the cancellation rate kept rising. Thinking all was well, landed in supposedly sunny California to 39 degree F. weather. It isn't just cool; it is downright wear layers and a coat cold. Hopefully, warmer weather is on the way.
The judging is going well. It is always a privilege to get to see the quilts so closely. Cindy Walters and Bonnie Browning, my fellow judges, and I are having a great time together. ....and the show staff is superior...well organized and tons of fun.
Will post more later...have tomottow off. For now your roving reporter is in good spirits and eager to get to work. Just a little concerned that Sweet Ronnie isn't freezing or trapped in the house with no food.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

And Now For Something Completely Different

Leave it to Texas, my first gig is scheduled to depart Sunday morning at 9:50 a.m. I am going to Road to California early to be one of the judges. All sounding good, right? Just one teeny weeny ice storm that arrived tonight....accumulation of one quarter to one half inch of ice on roadways. I only live 20 minutes from the airport but the freeway is chock full of overpasses which they can't sand until the ice has finished building up. If they sand now the sand will just freeze in the ice...trivia for future reference should you need it.
Sweet Ronnie is refusing to drive our beloved Nissan in this all too dangerous situation. However, I do have memories of him driving to work in Dallas is weather like this last year....completely different obviously. Being a good girl, I agree and call Super Shuttle only to be informed that they are completely booked and not accepting any more reservations. I guess I could walk.....if I started now I should make it on time....better pack a lunch. The problem is I don't even own a coat for this kind of weather.
Texas just isn't good at this....and yet it happens at least once every year. I am on hold now with American Airlines. They have already started canceling flights. What are my chances of getting to Ontario, California....not a hot spot major destination. I will keep you up-dated on the saga of Gabrielle trying to get to the airport and actually getting on a plane. Ahhhh, I love the intrigue of traveling.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Things Forgotten

The house is quiet, not a creature stiring but me. Sweet Ronnie asleep and hopefully dreaming the dreams of a boy. I am at the computer (good at stating the obvious, no?) with my headphones on listening to Etta James.....sing it lady......and was just suddenly struck with where the monkey wrench is. Speaking only for me, but I think it has also overtaken Ronnie, the real me has gotten lost in being a responsible adult. Okay, now before you fall off the chair don't think that I am saying you shouldn't take care of the bills and all that kinda stuff. What I am talking about is an internal thing.
Do you remember what you felt like when you were younger? The freedom of a whole unexpected world out there waiting for you and all you had to do was take that first step. Remember how you would stay up all night or get up at 0 dark 30 just so that you could lie in the grass next to your beloved. Everything was new and so were you...it was a state of grace.
Now do you find yourself fretting over the smallest things. Becoming an adult has made me take myself way too seriously.....gotta do the bills, gotta clean the house, gotta get ready for a trip, gotta get into exhibitions, gotta make evocative, meaningful art. I know that these are important things but I guess it is my attitude toward them that has changed. I fear I have forgottten how to be free.....to follow my heart and instead let all those mundane but necessary things dictate what I do next.
Okay I admit it is the middle of the night and that probably doesn't work well with blogging.....but you're there to talk to...sorry. Maybe it is the new year but there are going to be some serious changes going on at Gabrielle. Who cares that it is 4:16 am in Watauga....what if I just got in the car with lots 'o cds and started driving until I got ready to u-turn to home?
What about now going into the studio and doing something I have never done before? Why can't I go wake up Ronnie, fix breakfast and have a great conversation with Etta in the background?
Enough rambling, if you have made this far you have real fortitude or absolutely nothing else to do....either one works for me. Closing remarks....remember what it felt like to be free...be responsible for your actions as they have consequences but don't lose you the girl/boy in the weight of responsibility. Remember when you were thrilled to have a hundred dollars left for the month....you made it through and it was good.
And to quote Etta," You smiled and then the spell was cast and here we are in heaven because you are mine at last." You still belong to you....and don't let it be one of those things forgotten.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Revolutions...Not Resolutions

This year I am planning a revolt. I am going to be a wild woman....experimenting with anything that crosses my path. I am going to study more so that I can give more to my students.....instead of finding a rut and just cranking it out....not like I do that...but really expose them to new and unsual approaches.
I will not make promises to anyone but my contractual obligations to teach so that I can have more time in the studio. I will not make quilts to fit catagories in either size or content and I don't care how long they take coming to fruition. I chose to work at my own discretion so that there is meaning in each piece for me....and hopefully the viewer but if not, oops!
Revolting instead of resolving gives me freedom from the guilt of not having accomplished what the resolution was. Instead the revolt can take as long as necessary to work its way into my daily routine. Ain't it about time that we all stop beating ourselves up over getting rejected, not having the right size quilt or just being lazy for a few days to contemplate where to go next. This isn't a race...it is a process.....it is an artist life. While no one could be more compelled than I to work, this revolution is an attempt to strike a balance between all the things I love....textiles, painting, photography, and even sweet Ronnie. Oh yeah, don't forget the sons and daughters and grandkidlets.
Wishing you the best year in all aspects of your life..... making lots of great art....and continuing on the path of self-discovery.