Here we are, sheltering in place. We’re in week number 9 billion? Or am I exaggerating? Is it only week 7 billion?
OK, maybe it’s been less. None the less, it feels like we’re in limbo, all of us who are sheltering in place. Those who are on the front lines keeping all the rest of us going, what more can I say. You are so appreciated. Thank You.
I had been thinking about a design for a new coat. I’d start with a lovely kimono silk plaid and lay over it gentle curves and lines as a contrast. But as I added my skinny bias tubes, I saw that it was more and more about disruption. Without thought, just following my instincts, out came an expression of disorder and anxiety. Over the calm and symmetry of vertical and horizontal lines, I laid the strips going every which way, twisting and turning back over themselves. Turmoil and chaos.
Art! Such a wonderful way to release what’s going on inside. So much better than hiding under your bed in a fetal curl. Whether it’s through sewing or painting, poetry, music, gardening, cooking or however you express yourself, there is no better way to let it out and feel better.
The name for this coat, ‘Disruption.’
We were taught to match plaids, right? With this one I was just barely able to manage. Look at how out of whack it is! No fussy measuring when they wove this. Instead, it’s a free form idea of plaid.
See how it matches at the top of the picture? Then shifts completely off by the bottom. So perfect for what all else is going on.
I have some left of this silk. I’m looking forward to using the rest for a very un-matched plaid project.
A detail showing my strips basted in place. Next up, hand stitch everything down.
Please take care and stay safe!
That is different and beautiful. As a weaver, I have played fast and loose on my loom—it is fascinating to me what happens when too much isolation and self control unleashes a reckless heart.
What interesting weavings you must be creating Jan! We’ll all be able to relate to their message of isolation and the striving for self control.
Beautiful controlled chaos! All of my best art came out of angst I think and was indeed a great way to get out the stress. Love the miss matched plaid and wind gust sorts of shapes; feels like a good expression of what a lot of our brains are feeling like right now. Thanks for sharing this Ann.
Christina, I agree, an artful expression of emotion most definitely helps to dilute the stress!
This is exactly how I feel: trying to maintain a sense of order while chaos and uncertainty reign. I think I am managing pretty well but then I count up how many hours I’ve spent doing a basic task and I realize I am only fooling myself. Hahaha! Thank you for the visual depiction of my inner self!
Yes, I agree Ellen, chaos and uncertainty do seemed to be in the drivers seat.
I’ve been telling myself that uncertainty is actually where we are most all of the time. We tell ourselves that we are in charge, but in fact, we are not.