Rooted in Mississippi

But, I just have to share a recent email that I received by someone who is offended by my needlefelting.

On Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 11:07 AM, Bryan Tankersley <email deleted> wrote:
> Hello,  I am just curious about something I saw on your web site. It appears
> that your needle felted teddy bear and rabbit have “protruding parts”…???
> Is there a reason for this. It seems kind of perverted to me. Would be cute
> without making them obscene.
> Bryan
> Sent from my T-Mobile Sidekick®

My gut reaction was to respond, even though it probably would have been wiser to just delete it and move on with my life.  That said, wise choices are difficult in the heat of the moment and here was my reply.

First of all, it was one animal, a polar bear.  I do not find the
“protruding parts” to be obscene, it is merely bits of wool shaped
into a figurative representation.  In fact, it was that precise
attention to detail that helped me get juried into the craftsman’s
guild.

Secondly, I was not going for cute, I was demonstrating my skill in a
manner I found both whimsical and amusing.  When you are the artist,
you can make your own choices.  As for me, I would not change a thing
about that piece.

I suppose it says more about me that I felt compelled to respond to an to email complaint about my “perverted” and “obscene” needlefelting.  Since there is only one such creature in my menagerie, I suppose it says more about him that he is seeing “protruding parts” where there are none.  While most of my figurative animals are gender neutral, that particular one is not and I have my reasons.  I get more positive response from that one item than any other, because people think it is funny. Maybe I should knit some pantaloons to cover his naughty bits…NOT!!

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About twenty minutes into the artist’s reception for Rhonda at ARTichoke, Jackson suffered a major power outage. Luckily, Carmen had a ton of candles and we were able to continue to meet and greet. Rhonda’s sister made food and it was smashing! It was like old home week, I ran into a ton of people that I know and got to catch up on their lives.

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I have had my iPod Shuffle for a while, but I finally bought my first song on iTunes. I admit I have dragged my feet, not wanting to start something that had the potential to be addictive and expensive.

That said, I first heard Roisin Murphy’s Ramalama Bang Bang when Alchemy performed at the Mardi Love workshop in Atlanta. Click on the Alchemy link above to check out photos of them from that performance. I really love the way the funky Degas ballerina looked and it was a lot fun to see a little camp in bellydance. Anyway, now that MissiHippy is doing a choreography to the same song, I just had to have it. It really is an infectious song.

And now for something totally different…

I went by Rhonda’s house to pick up an art quilt for next year’s EGA TVR Regional Seminar in Memphis. The folks in Memphis, who have seen a photo, asked if I would bring it to this year’s Share-A-Stitch, which is in just a few weeks. I believe the piece is entitled “Blue Suede Shoes.” Rhonda can correct me if I am wrong! I have been meaning to post a picture of this on my blog for ages. Rhonda is a very talented artist and we are lucky that she was willing to donate her work.

I thought of her as soon as they started talking about the music theme for SAS in Memphis, because so many of her pieces are musical in nature. Heck, right now she is destroying pianos, salvaging parts for her work. The photo below is of one of my favorite wall hangings that was on display at a Jackson quilt show a few years ago, which was where I met Rhonda. She was working on the cutting edge back then, not that she is a slouch now, but I think hers were the only art quilts at the show.

Rhonda is a working artist, as in, someone who successfully sells her work. So, if you ever see something on her blog that you like, ask about prices! LOL

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Another Getting to Know You Wednesday quiz from Create a Connection.

YOU choose what to tell me:

List 3 random facts about you, that we will be entertained by:

1. My whole body vibrates when I shimmy.
2. I am allergic to cats, even though we have two.
3. I used chives, rosemary, sweet basil, and oregano from my own greenhouse last night in pasta sauce last night.

List 2 things about you, that are important for us to know:

1. I am a terrible house keeper.
2. I can toss a 2 cubic foot bag of organic potting soil over my shoulder and walk around with it through the store, check-out and to the car without a problem.

ME! My turn to ask questions!

Do you like board games? What are some favorites?

I used to! I was all about the word games, like Boggle and Scrabble.

What are your non-artistic hobbies?

Bellydance, orchids, reading, and herb gardening.

Do you collect anything?

I collect clutter, does that count? Okay, I like rabbits, eggs, tea cups, tea pots, anything dachshund related, but I don’t actively collect any of those things.

And now, our Creativity:

What types of art do you enjoy creating the most?

I like to paint and draw, but I am more likely to write, spin wool, stitch, knit, crochet, or bead.

Do you have a type of art that you’ve always wanted to try, but never done? What is it?

I pretty much have dipped my big toe into everything that interests me in art, but I always like taking classes.

Do you have any art “how to” sites that you would recommend to us? What are they?

No, mostly, I learn by doing…and the occasional book. The website I like are the ones I use for motivation, like Everyday Matters and Illustration Friday, which are listed in my links, under websites.

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These were the result of the Every Day Matter challenge 95, “draw a holiday card.” This was a card Shay sent me. I started it in pen, but one of the things I hate about pens is that when you screw up, it is over. LOL It started out good and ended up awful, so I switched to pencil. I have a perspective issue for sure. LOL

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It has been a while since I got out my pencils and sketchbook to work on the Every Day Matters challenges, so I decided to do something about it. These drawings represent Challenges 98 (“free choice, draw something you like”) and 88 (“draw something breezy”). I took an unintentional break from art, but I suppose it is never too late to get back into the swing of things. I wish I had invested in a better quality sketchbook, because this one has warped pages and indentations from previous drawings.

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Elizabeth D’s comment got me to thinking and we all know how dangerous that can be!  I do not think of housewife as a derogatory term, maybe because I chose this lifestyle.  I made a conscious decision to leave my well-paying job in order to stay home, take care of the house and pursue my hobbies.  I see staying at home as a reward.  Plus, as far as labels go, this is one that I chose. 

In comments on the same post, SueB pointed out that it is a mistake to get hung up on labels and I think she is right.  In general, I bristle at labels and the thought of being pigeon-holed, but I actually like housewife.  In fact, I listed it as my occupation on my most recent passport application.  I am not a domestic goddess; I am a housewife!  I enjoy being free to explore new things and take time for self-examination. 

I do not feel burdened by my daily routine, cooking, or caring for the dogs.  I am glad to be living this life.  I wake up every day knowing that it is full of possibilities.  I can sit on the sofa, knit, spin, do needle work, belly dance, watch television, read a book, paint a picture, or anything else that my heart desires.  I enjoy playing with the dogs and getting into the kitchen.  I love looking out the window and watching the squirrels and leaves.  It is a good life.

I have the benefit of a maid, so I do not have to worry about cleaning toilets, tubs or mopping floors.  That said, I do not mind doing laundry, dishes or ironing my husband’s shirts.  It takes time and effort to keep a house in order, especially an older one that is in constant need of repair, but it leaves me plenty of time for other things.

I am not ready to give that up in order to spend eight hours a day in the studio.  I am not ready to become an artist or a craftsman.  The commitment of time and sellable finished product is what keeps me from submitting my work to the Craftsman’s Guild of Mississippi.  Everyone has to find their place and I seem to have found mine.  I am actually happy and not ready to change my life right now.

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Before I get into posting about the EGA National Seminar, I decided to respond to an Arty Meme on Bayou Quilts.  So the first five people to respond to the challenge via comments on this blog will get a small piece of fiber art from me, either an Artist Trading Card (ATC) or a fabric postcard.  The catch is, you also have to make the same sort of offer in a post on your own blog.  That means, this is not an exchange, you do not have to send me anything in return, but you must try to pay it forward though your own blog. 

I noticed that my neighbor Rhonda over at Art/Quilts is doing this too. 

Any thoughts?  Anyone want to take me up on the challenge?

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I did the EDM Challenge from week 65: Noses for a second time. These definitely look a little more realistic. I did these before I left for Dallas, but forgot all about it. I decided to post it today.

It was a crazy, busy day. First was oil-painting class, then the drug store, the vet, the sewing center, Hancock Fabrics, then I came home and cooked corned beef and cabbage. And minutes ago, the doorbell rang, and FedEx delivered the educational materials for the Tennessee Valley Region of the EGA. I guess it is a official, I am the acting Chair.

The studio is still a wreck, but I have made significant progress. Eventually I will have everything back in its place and will be ready to sew some things. I did pack my kit for the TVR Seminar, Share-A-Stitch XXVI, in Louisville. I am really looking forward to my class with Catherine Jordan. I better go find the brochure and make sure that I have everything I need.

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