I don't travel alone much, but recently spent time in Lincoln, Nebraska for the SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) "Creation to Curation" conference (I'm a regional co-representative in Alaska with Maria Shell). Despite the 3-hour time difference for me, I was still up at 4:30 or 5 am each day. Once of the people who stumbled into that Early-Morning-Inbox-tapping-quietly-so-I-dont-wake-my-roommate space was Christine Chester. She asked a question, which I'm sharing with her permission, and while I'm no expert, I gave her an answer I wish someone would grab me by the shoulders, look me in the eye and give to me.
Just to be up front -- this isn't an advice column, nor am I clear on what the hell I'm doing MOST of the time. I'm not a how-to guru and pretty sure I'm no teacher, but Christine had questions about work I felt I could answer since none of these concerns are new to me. I think about them all the time with regards to an artist's choice of materials, my unanswered questions and a deep respect for makers known and unknown. So I responded with the letter I'd want to receive, and Christine graciously allowed me to share our private early morning correspondence. Hello Christine,
In short, this lady is no slouch. I can't believe she wrote and asked me ... well ... anything. I'm totally honored to be a part of her world and her sensibility. * Portrait photography by Sarah Gawler of Sarah Gawler Photography. Other images courtesy of the artist. Also on this blog:For other artist profiles, click on the sidebar category: Find Your Teachers (then scroll past this post, which will appear there, too). One year ago: Unicorn Heart Two years ago: Soul Fever Newsletter news:I sent one out mid April, and a second one especially for contributors to the Inheritance Project. If you signed up and didn't receive one, please check your spam/clutter box. If you'd like to receive a pretty newsletter with links to blog posts and upcoming news (maybe once a month ... maybe), you can sign up for it here. I promise I'm not spammy.
24 Comments
Helen Geglio
5/7/2017 08:43:09 am
Thanks you for sharing this powerful dialog between two thoughtful artists.
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5/8/2017 05:51:23 am
Hello Helen,
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5/7/2017 11:52:43 pm
I come from a long line of women who spent their lives making and remaking beautiful everyday objects, which now reside in cupboards and attics, and because I and my two female cousins are childless will most likely end up as landfill. At least textile work will mostly be kind to the environment and will make beneficial compost. (I suspect my own work will end up that way much more speedily!)
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5/8/2017 06:03:11 am
Olga,
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Elizabeth Woodford
5/8/2017 06:33:22 am
Thank you both, Christine and Amy, for sharing this !! Good bye to ancestor guilt- that tape has been running in my head lately as I reach to a stash of old things- some still with labels, to make some change and express my feelings as an artist!! thank you Thank you!! Very recently I had a woman chastise me about my work at a gallery show. she identified herself as an "Artist" and said that I had done things all wrong with my piece that was multi layered and created on a surface of used tea bags. She did all this before asking me any questions or reading the title. Appearently there were too many birds and it was too tight???? I let her talk and said " To each his own" and let her talk some more- the piece is about he fragility of our environment with effects often first seen in small fragile populations- frogs birds, think DDT. She is gone and I am thrilled with myself for not really engaging with her- it would not have been pretty. I did explain my purpose but in a very non confrontational way- she simply walked off. CLUELESS!! ONWARD!!!
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5/14/2017 08:48:25 am
Elizabeth,
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5/8/2017 07:12:42 am
What a timely conversation. I took in a box of bed sheets and pillow cases from my sister-in-law. The sheets have a heavily embroidered top portion and pillow cases to match. The sheets were meant to sit on the top of a bed so aren't big enough to use as a sheet (and they'd have to be ironed!). They were all done by her grandmother and great grandmother and she was tossing them! I'd like to quilt them (which would eliminate the need to iron)and perhaps dye them so that I can return some to her family to be used and enjoyed. I think your comment about just show up and get started is what I needed to hear. Thank you.
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5/14/2017 08:52:48 am
Dianne--
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Tammy
5/8/2017 08:06:35 am
Amy you know I have my mothers sewing room stash. But I may not have shared that as I went through her collections of fabrics and other belongings I also discovered that we both shared a love of embroidered pillowcases and crocheted dollies which I am now altering. At some point I will share this new work. Also I have been repurposing clothes for a while. I get both stares and compliments. Even my own family feels that my garments are "strange" and wonder why I dress the way I do. I have to practice accepting that it's ok and still do what I want. So I'm here hurraying yours and anyone's art and mark making or creativity that uses alternative materials or using what we have without buying new supplies or using up those beautifuI creations that women poured so much time into. You and any artist who creates gives permission to all of us who have secret desires to create and tell our own story in our own unique way!
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5/14/2017 08:55:13 am
Tammy,
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5/8/2017 08:15:20 am
Who knew there were so many stitchers of linen stories out there? Your response is a good reminder to us to use the saved things from the past. Sorry I wasn't up for the 430 fun and games..
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5/14/2017 08:58:53 am
Lorie,
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5/8/2017 08:15:39 am
Thank you both for this exchange of ideas, it was so good to read it. Amy, you actually COULD do an advice column, I for one would really appreciate it when I feel stuck :D
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5/14/2017 09:01:15 am
Agnes,
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Sarah Nickel Ellis
5/8/2017 08:45:49 am
Amazing conversation. Much needed and appreciated. More later. Thank you, Amy, Christine, and all who replied.
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5/14/2017 09:02:31 am
Sarah,
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Jo-Ann Mapson
5/8/2017 02:23:23 pm
Hi Amy, we cleaned out my mom's stuff and I have so many weird linens--handkerchiefs, tiny doilies, tinier yet, these small squares about 3 X 3 with a technique my older sister called "tearing" and I have never heard of it. If you're interested, I can send them, or possibly give them to you when I am up in July. I know they will sit in a box here, and the mice will get them. But please say no if you're overburdened with stuff.
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5/14/2017 09:05:51 am
Jo-Ann,
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5/12/2017 01:10:21 am
That's very thoughtful post and you're very clear on your approach to the subject. And from the aesthetic point of view I fully agree with you.
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5/14/2017 09:10:33 am
Bozena,
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Dear Amy
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6/10/2017 07:59:20 am
Natalya--
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yolita
6/7/2017 08:51:58 am
great work and article<a href="https://tekstilsayfasi.blogspot.com">,</a> keep doing!
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Amy MeissnerArtist in Anchorage, Alaska, sometimes blogging about the collision of history, family & art, with the understanding that none exists without the other. Categories
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