out of the blue had an exchange with an old friend from Michigan. She taught Art in the public schools and is an artist herself. Graphite and oils. Drawing and Painting. I've never shown her what i am doing now, she knows me from my Art Doll days. She has some. She emailed because she was somewhere in town and looked out of the window of that house and saw in the window of the house across the street, Two of the Fiber Figures that i'd made. So i thought i'd send her some pics
This is what i make.
To be honest, i am still grappling with that thing of Useful. I'd like to not be. I'd like to give it up. I'd like to come to some kind of personal conclusion. Everyone can come to their own personal conclusion. I'd like to come to mine. It's time.
I don't want to make quilts. I don't want to make pillow covers. I don't want to make book marks or clothing. I just want to make these things i make. They are not "useful" i guess. but
so what.
they are what i make.
and as i was working away, cleaning someone's house, being useful and coming away with $65 , i thought.
What's the difference here? and my thinking might be very flawed, have lots of holes, but it was interesting to me. Does someone Ever Say that's a good drawing. But how could it be Useful. Can you figure out a way to make it into a pillow cover?
or
That's a nice poem. it's really, a GOOD poem, but can you think of a way to make it into a blanket? make it useful?
Substitute sculpture, substitute metal work, substitute clay
Substitute anything.... Is Utilitarian the Ultimate?
so this is what i'm thinking about. I am tired of thinking about it. I'd like to come to some kind of conclusion and then Just Go.
the Old Woman Apricot tree is setting blooms. Like she does. Every year. almost always too soon. There will be another Frost, another Snow even, more Fierce WIND, and almost always they will be for naught. No fruits from them.
BUT
they come early. Really, the first for
the Bees who have woken. and are hungry
if nothing else, she feeds the bees
