With Thanks

Winter (detail)  © 2013 Linda A. Miller

May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more.

~ John O’Donohue ,  excerpt from
“A Morning Offering” (To Bless the Space Between Us)

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving, and Happy Holidays to my Jewish friends!

 

On the Road Again

Good news has arrived via email!  "Linear Moves" will be on exhibit once again, this time in January 2014 at Road to California.  I am pleased that this piece has been shared with a wide audience over the past few years.  Road to California Quilter’s Conference and Showcase, called  “The Best in the West”, is to be held at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario CA January 23-26, 2014.

Linear Moves  -  54" x 30"
© 2012 Linda A. Miller

Cotton, painted, pieced, hand embroidered

hand & machine quilted

 In case you are unfamiliar with the background information, this piece was created for the 2012 Black and White with a Twist call for entry by Quilts on the Wall artists.  Reflecting on the theme immediately brought to mind the ink calligraphy seen in Asian art traditions.  I have had the opportunity to work with this meditative art form on paper, so capturing the essence of the brushwork on cloth became my challenge.  

I painted the central image with ink on cotton.  That section was then pieced with commercial cottons creating a scroll-like textile.  I researched the layouts of Asian scrolls to maintain simplicity in the overall presentation.   The center section was hand quilted, the borders machine quilted.  Hand embroidery was added for detail. 

Ink & Joy

Here are some more photos from the joyful calligraphy lesson back in October with Takeda Sounn in which I am practicing the character that translates as "Heart Mind".

Photo by Steven Saitzyk

Photo by Steven Saitzyk

Keeping the connection in mind, allow me to again share several abstract brushwork interpretations textiles from 2012.  Similar process....finding inner harmony and balance in the moment.

Elevate   -  28.5" x 16"
© 2012 Linda A. Miller

Encircle   -  27.5" x 16"
© 2012 Linda A. Miller

Between stimulus and response there is a space.  

In that space is our power to choose our response.

In our response lies our growth and our freedom.

- Victor Frankl

(Thanks to Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo for the quote)

December Exhibit

Pacifying Passion © 2013 Linda A. Miller

“Pacifying Passion” has been accepted into the SAQA Southern California/Nevada Regional exhibit Fiber Reactions.  This is the second time SAQA artists will have work shown at the beautiful Poway Center, located in Northern San Diego County.  It looks to be a fantastic exhibit!

Reception is on Saturday, December 14, 1:00 - 3:00pm.  Stop by and say hello!

There will be two weekday docent tours - December 6 and 11, from 3:00 - 5:00pm.


 PCPA: 15498 Espola Road, Poway, CA 92064
 Dates:  December 3 - December 31, 2013  
 Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm; Saturday  10:00am – 3:00pm; Closed Sunday, Monday and Holidays.

Parking: A temporary parking pass is required when visiting the exhibit Tuesday - Friday.  Pick up a free pass from the office before you park.

Linking to Off the Wall Fridays!

Sharing...

"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, 

and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich." 

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Gathering a list of links that you might find interesting... 

I have often recommended Robert Genn's newsletter to you.  Over the years he has provided a rich resource of uplifting and interesting posts on art and life.  Genn recently shared the news of his  pancreatic cancer diagnosis.  Sad news, yet during this uncertainty and heartbreak his posts remain positive and filled with gratitude.  The Magic Hour written by his daughter deeply touched my heart.  May we all live with such gratitude and grace.

Seth Godin often has succinct topics on his blog.  "Owning it" is a juicy one.  And how about this one about "Fear".  I like the reminder to embrace fear!

Sun Bowls

 Meanwhile, bowls continue and the numbers grow daily.  They have become my meditation practice.  It is interesting to see the subtle changes that come about, which seem more obvious when creating a consecutive series within a short period of time.  Changes always occur, but when the time between is longer those changes are not as obvious.  Much like in life....

On another note, I donated "Red Striations" to the fundraiser auction at my local Shambhala meditation center.  It has found a new home and supports the center.  A win win situation.

Red Striations by Linda A. Miller 2013

  
Linking to Off the Wall Fridays.  Do visit the other wonderful sites there.