Ab Intra

For the final challenge of Project Quilting for 2021, Trish really pulled out an obscure theme. Ab Intra, which means "from Inside". Ohhh.. I had to think about this one for a while. What represents the me inside? What image would tell you something about me and what motivates me?

I always Loved making art from a young age and I continued to create art in various mediums over the years. I went to college and studied Commercial art and got a degree in teaching art. I also started taking pottery classes there and, after graduating, I apprenticed myself to a potter. For years, I travelled the Southeast selling pottery art art and craft shows until I got married. In college I also took several photo classes. I learned to love the Adams approach to photography, composing in the camera instead of manipulating in the darkroom. Over the years, I've transitioned from 35 mm film to digital and all the progress digital has made. I have a small collection of cameras from different ages. My favorite came from my great uncle David.

Photography, in general, has aided me in my art in other mediums, increased my skills at composing, and I've even begun selling photo-based images on Spoonflower.

What is my favorite thing to do? I love to walk in nature. I love to photograph nature and take moments to look closely at the nature elements. I believe that we will discover much more about how trees and plants communicate with each other. (Yes I've seen the documentaries) I love the Japanese concept of "Forest Bathing".

I love family history and (on top of being an artist who finds value in things many don't) I ALSO have the issue of imparting life in objects (like my great uncle's camera). It leads me to have a clutter of stuff, but they become my cocoon of love, memories, touchstones.

Finally, ever since I've been young, I've enjoyed what they now call Americana. I attended the local folk festival (even skipped school to do it) because I really loved the concept of saving our old ways. It might have coincided with the craft resurgence of the Bicentennial, but I was impressionable and it has lasted in many ways in my life. Now that I live in the Missouri Ozarks, I have continued to have the opportunity to enjoy the folkways of our forefathers. I fervently hope that after Covid is over and we open up more, Baker's Creek will have their festivals once more. My love and interest in Americana directed my desire to work at Silver Dollar City. While they have world class rides, the overall theme of the park in old times and that means that I wear a long dress, pantaloons, and knee socks every day to work (even the summer). Most of the fabric our dresses are made of comes from Marshall Dry Goods in Batesville, Ar. The costume shop would have a sale of left overs every year (before covid) and it worked out to $1 a yard. Whenever I found fabric that matched my dress, I would be excited. It came in handy when I had to wear masks for covid. I could match my dresses. This year, they gave me enough to make matching masks for my new dresses.

I also sit next to the Dulcimer shop and, after 10 years, I finally found my perfect one and bought it. I had an old one from my early 20's but this one is SO nice! I have been practicing to play it better ever since.

Capturing Me

18" x 14.5

This depicts my love of taking photos of nature. In the lenses the fabrics are taken from a photo I have in Spoonflower that shows my neighborhood at sunset. (lakes and mountains) It shows my love of having family objects around me. It shows my love of music and the final border is from the fabric my dresses from work are made from.