Getting ready

 This week I delivered a couple of pieces for a group show.

It is very exciting to hang yourself out there for the public see.

Lots of triangles

It seems that I have been working a lot with triangles lately. 

Someone (let’s not called her a friend) said to me a while ago 

“Ah Maria you should move on from triangles”

Not just yet as you can see. Obviously.

But really, what else is there?

Yeah, well I was thinking of a log cabin or two, never curves though.

Not willingly. Not at the moment anyway.

Stay tuned for more triangles though. I’m not done.

BTW blogging form my iPad: couldn’t do that before but why is it double spacing the lines now but wouldn’t do it up the top and I can’t work out how to centre the writing....

the blues

Well there has just been so much going on hasn't there?

If you are reading this I hope you are safe and well.

I have only  needed to be tested for COVID-19 once and the strict isolation didn't last long.

I have had to stop my giving my classes since March and am not able to restart yet. 

Amazing how some of us have learnt how to embrace new technologies so well.

This is my main project completed for the pandemic so far and I love it.

Don't you just love solids.

Not to mention about 100 masks....

The last couple of days we are down to zero new Covid cases in Victoria 

and soon I will be able to see my sons. 

What a miracle of forbearance, patience and community spirit we have witnessed here in Victoria!

 

Artist In Residence

I saw someone on Social Media pose the question:

"How will you describe your Covid-19 experience?"

Artist in Residence

that's me, for an indeterminate period at this stage.

An open contract...

Here's hoping that will sum it up.

Here's where I'm at with the quilt I have commenced.

I have started to plan for the backing...

who knows how long I've got in seclusion?

Now, where were we?

toilet paper √

canned goods √

pasta √

Were you prepared for this s***storm?

Luckily I did a bit of stocking up in January when things were on sale.

Not hoarding.

 As you can see I've cut loads of half-square triangles,

joined them up and trimmed them.

 And then I've checked my measurements and cut the same number of squares (3")

I am getting on with this.

It helps.

Just relaxing at home

Whoa! I think we are in for a wild ride. 

For a few nights I have not been able to sleep.

 I guess I'm not on my own there.

Since New Year I have been a bit slack with my sketch book so I have decided to document my role in this dystopian saga.

 I think I might want to check back when we are on the otherwise of this event.

I'm going to record of loads of things including my shopping lists,

panic lists

and lots of the funny quotes I see.

And I have started a quilt. 

I normally have a couple classes every week and I'm calling this homework for them.

Distance learning.

Join in if you wish. contact my and I'll email the steps as we go.

And my little story today that I'll put in the diary:

I was taking my usual walk (routine is important if you are socially distancing)

when the man approaching me was clutching a big packet of toilet paper.

I guess you have heard about that drama in Oz.

I was going to rob him but found I was unarmed.

Luckily he willingly gave up his source and as it was on my way I made my way to the IGA.

Yes I got one but no money or plastic! S**t.

So I just waited there patiently until someone I vaguely knew lent me $10.

Mary you are my saviour!

So chin up everyone we'll get through this.

remember me?

Happy New Year!

It seems I have not blogged for a long, long time

and it has taken a lovely comment from a long follower on my blog to get me back here.

I am fine and doing well.

But my country:

it seems we are ruled by a team of lazy, lying cheating dimwits.

There I have put that out there.

Plenty has been said in the media if you want to look it up.

The East Coast of Australia has been burning for months losing many times the amount of forest that burnt in the Amazon and millions of our native animals have died 

while our crazy leader holidayed in Hawaii, 

was slow to action and 

continues to obfuscate about Climate Change.

I, like many Australians, am in complete despair.

There seems little we common folk can do and even if we had an election soon I fear the same forces that assisted this party  to be elected would be at it again.

 So I have done what most artists do and turned inward to get myself through.

This improv quilt is inspired by the great Nancy Crowe.

It's progress has been slow while I pondered design decisions but so far I am pleased.

And this beauty has been in the making for some time.

I have been exploring solids, 

quilts made from as few fabrics as possible,

traditional patterns but modern colours

and hand quilting.

I got out the old quilting templates!

I just love doing that kind of quilting.

You can stitch all (or most) of that angst into something.

Funny how when you pick up the quilt again those thoughts return.

So that's me for today. Take care.