Oh gosh how marvelous! What wondrous ways might a twelve year old think to work with both textiles and illustration? Only time will tell but what bliss to share.
“The mess of learning”—YES! And did you actually weave that beautiful image of the woman bathing? The most beauty I’ve seen in one place since maybe yesterday morning watching the sun rise over my foggy hills.
I look at trees and their trunks when I walk. I take photos not videos, maybe because I don't have a dog to walk with. I don't live in a place like yours. It's more suburban and I usually walk the same way every day or so. Even so, I see different things in the same landscape.
Isn't it amazing how the subtlest things suddenly show up? Most of our walks are also around the same series of blocks in my neighborhood (a residential area of a small (tiny) city -- and it keeps being interesting when I remember to look. So glad to know we share this "freshness in habit" thing (if that phrase makes sense).
Thank you so much for your drawings and writing about your work. And the links to others creating wonderful things. I find it a weekly prompt to get going, be courageous and carry out my ideas.
Oh! My! Gosh! You watercolored a weaving! I say that with awe, astonishment and glee! It's so wonderful, I can hardly stand it. Who'd have thought!? Well, you thought and followed up with such a lovely result. I'm just wowed!
Teehee! Silly and fun and kinda wild. And really - why not? Hoping to try some other variations on this theme soon. But have to weave the ground cloth first :-)
Love t he rabbit hole for many reasons, (focus, commitment, no going back) and then the idea of a prairie meander sounds very intriguing because of the vast amount of space and horizon one can view. Wow!! What a wonderful concept, no rules, no map, just what is all around you. The possibilities are endless Sarah!! Thank you for sharing that idea!
I am enthralled with that tree bark, and then looking up into the sun! And I love how you push boundaries--encourages me to be brave in my creativity. Juli
Thank you for saying that Juli. The writing itself sometimes makes me feel braver , as, indeed, do comments like this. What goes around comes around perhaps?
What you share about the journey you have been on is so eye opening and appreciated. I love it all! Hints of how you discover your next adventure are another gift. Wishing you and Beryl sweet cool breezes.
Dear Sarah, love your work, naturally, both weaving/visuals/ and clever text. I am a novice tapestry weaver. Sorry I can't subscribe, budget won't allow as I am retired and like to travel. I hope someday that you will compile your writings here into a book (perhaps unlikely). I also appreciate your recommendations to other artists (Sue Prince! Sally Pointer!)
So glad you're here and enjoying it all -- and clicking the links. The world is a wondrous place and it is miraculous to get to share these wee bits. And thanks for the book nudge! May never happen but fun to contemplate (sometimes....)
Yes, and isn't trying something and deciding you don't like it, or can't do it right now, or just that it just doesn't fit, all part of exploring our day, warp, canvas? And can't we just try and leave alone? That, too, works for me! I try something on my warp, it doesn't quite work, and then maybe with a little tweaking, it can! Looking at something differently, too, helps a lot! Keeps the ripping out to a minimum!
Exactly. Beautifully put. Archie Brennan used to say "don't rip out yesterday's red-- instead choose a color today that helps it be the red you wish you'd picked in the first place." And of course that can apply to so many things...
“These days—alas—by virtue of scale, sore hands, lack of foresight, evolving aesthetics, ungainly materials, elusive dreams, new ways of seeing or what have you—that mode of entry is proving elusive.” These words resonate deeply (except for sore back, not 🙌🏼). Thank you, Sara, for this. Exploring without fear or real concern of outcome leads to new adventures that lead to new …
The tree-I was so glad you looked at the tree. From the front side when you first met it, the contours were so round and barky. I loved the tree. Thanks. Hot here in Colorado too.
Oh gosh, thank you for noticing the tree. I've walked by it so often (it's in a local city park), and it felt good to relish, as you say, it's "round and barky contours." So many trees that don't get to walk to us , so a treat to walk by and remember to relish them.
I always love to see your new experiments, and was tickled to see footnote 6. Annette is my mom! She's local to you and is the first one who told me about your work. I think it was when you posted about your handmade running shoes. Ever appreciative of the things you share online.
Oh golly! Thank you Ruth and Annette--who knew??? I'm thrilled to bits to know this. And HUGE congratulations on the wondrous book. My long ago book, Kids WEaving, was also published by Abrams and I love the kind effort they put into every one. Hope the experience has been a good one for your Mum.
I'm an appreciative lurker here. So happy to share a publisher with you. Abrams does beautiful work. Thank you for all your lovely newsletters--my favorite Substack email.
I shared today’s post with my granddaughter (age 12)who has made one weaving and now ventures into illustration. She loved seeing both together.
Oh the possibilities!
Oh gosh how marvelous! What wondrous ways might a twelve year old think to work with both textiles and illustration? Only time will tell but what bliss to share.
Thank you.
Ah yes, I thought you may sneak a hurricane reference in this week.
“The mess of learning”—YES! And did you actually weave that beautiful image of the woman bathing? The most beauty I’ve seen in one place since maybe yesterday morning watching the sun rise over my foggy hills.
Why thank you kindly! I did indeed weave the tapestry. It's called "Indigo Bath" and you can see an image of the whole tapestry on this page of my archive :https://www.afieldguidetoneedlework.com/2000---2003.html
I look at trees and their trunks when I walk. I take photos not videos, maybe because I don't have a dog to walk with. I don't live in a place like yours. It's more suburban and I usually walk the same way every day or so. Even so, I see different things in the same landscape.
Isn't it amazing how the subtlest things suddenly show up? Most of our walks are also around the same series of blocks in my neighborhood (a residential area of a small (tiny) city -- and it keeps being interesting when I remember to look. So glad to know we share this "freshness in habit" thing (if that phrase makes sense).
This was actually perfect for a hot afternoon
Thank you so much for your drawings and writing about your work. And the links to others creating wonderful things. I find it a weekly prompt to get going, be courageous and carry out my ideas.
Thank you so much for saying that. It means everything.
Oh! My! Gosh! You watercolored a weaving! I say that with awe, astonishment and glee! It's so wonderful, I can hardly stand it. Who'd have thought!? Well, you thought and followed up with such a lovely result. I'm just wowed!
Teehee! Silly and fun and kinda wild. And really - why not? Hoping to try some other variations on this theme soon. But have to weave the ground cloth first :-)
Love t he rabbit hole for many reasons, (focus, commitment, no going back) and then the idea of a prairie meander sounds very intriguing because of the vast amount of space and horizon one can view. Wow!! What a wonderful concept, no rules, no map, just what is all around you. The possibilities are endless Sarah!! Thank you for sharing that idea!
I am enthralled with that tree bark, and then looking up into the sun! And I love how you push boundaries--encourages me to be brave in my creativity. Juli
Thank you for saying that Juli. The writing itself sometimes makes me feel braver , as, indeed, do comments like this. What goes around comes around perhaps?
What you share about the journey you have been on is so eye opening and appreciated. I love it all! Hints of how you discover your next adventure are another gift. Wishing you and Beryl sweet cool breezes.
Dear Sarah, love your work, naturally, both weaving/visuals/ and clever text. I am a novice tapestry weaver. Sorry I can't subscribe, budget won't allow as I am retired and like to travel. I hope someday that you will compile your writings here into a book (perhaps unlikely). I also appreciate your recommendations to other artists (Sue Prince! Sally Pointer!)
So glad you're here and enjoying it all -- and clicking the links. The world is a wondrous place and it is miraculous to get to share these wee bits. And thanks for the book nudge! May never happen but fun to contemplate (sometimes....)
Yes, and isn't trying something and deciding you don't like it, or can't do it right now, or just that it just doesn't fit, all part of exploring our day, warp, canvas? And can't we just try and leave alone? That, too, works for me! I try something on my warp, it doesn't quite work, and then maybe with a little tweaking, it can! Looking at something differently, too, helps a lot! Keeps the ripping out to a minimum!
Exactly. Beautifully put. Archie Brennan used to say "don't rip out yesterday's red-- instead choose a color today that helps it be the red you wish you'd picked in the first place." And of course that can apply to so many things...
“These days—alas—by virtue of scale, sore hands, lack of foresight, evolving aesthetics, ungainly materials, elusive dreams, new ways of seeing or what have you—that mode of entry is proving elusive.” These words resonate deeply (except for sore back, not 🙌🏼). Thank you, Sara, for this. Exploring without fear or real concern of outcome leads to new adventures that lead to new …
It does indeed. The outcome expectations can really put a damper on play. Such a relief to set it aside when we can.
The tree-I was so glad you looked at the tree. From the front side when you first met it, the contours were so round and barky. I loved the tree. Thanks. Hot here in Colorado too.
Oh gosh, thank you for noticing the tree. I've walked by it so often (it's in a local city park), and it felt good to relish, as you say, it's "round and barky contours." So many trees that don't get to walk to us , so a treat to walk by and remember to relish them.
I always love to see your new experiments, and was tickled to see footnote 6. Annette is my mom! She's local to you and is the first one who told me about your work. I think it was when you posted about your handmade running shoes. Ever appreciative of the things you share online.
Oh golly! Thank you Ruth and Annette--who knew??? I'm thrilled to bits to know this. And HUGE congratulations on the wondrous book. My long ago book, Kids WEaving, was also published by Abrams and I love the kind effort they put into every one. Hope the experience has been a good one for your Mum.
I'm an appreciative lurker here. So happy to share a publisher with you. Abrams does beautiful work. Thank you for all your lovely newsletters--my favorite Substack email.
So beautiful. I love your drawings...
And thanks for the kind words about my book.