Horse Story

The Outer Banks of North Carolina are full of stories.

Many wrecked sailing ships sleep under the dangerous waters 

right off this string of barrier islands. 

 

The horses who live on  the island swam to shore (they say)

from sinking ships. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banker_horse

 

I experimented with drawing and WC painting on fabric for the 

swimming horse and whales. 1 and 2 inch pieced blocks

framed their nvironment. It became a shrine to these horses and their

survival throughout the years. They make me feel hopeful.

Like a Tusker

"Better it is to walk alone. There is no fellowship with fools. Walk alone, 

harm none and know no conflict. Be like a Tusker in the woods alone."

- from A Life of the Buddha by Sherab Chodzin Kohn

I stumbled on a tapestry elephant and began 'skatchwork' based on this quote.

So satisfying to work with all the moon symbols for walking alone with dignity

 for many nights. So many of us have had this experience.

 I'll let this sit awhile and see if it needs embroidery.

Something old and something new

This had an old beginning. The woven patch was made in Jude's
class in 2010.The colors leaned into a recently dyed plum-y linen cloth.

I worked in the quiet heat until I couldn't see it anymore. I slept, it slept and this

morning I could see it's done.

 I saw this while out with the pup in the front yard.

See the old tree with the hole? A watcher is sitting there.

So I watched him and local crow friends came and squawked and dive bombed him.

I love our local crow vigilantes. Also love hawks but...

 

 

Talking to myself

One of Jude's skills is to talk or think about why or what if.

Why is it that too many turned edges on top of each other are distracting?

How can I rethink edges and components? 

Some turned edges and some softened raw edges. I used a needle to

pull one or two threads from each side of the blue grey backing.

This left an less solid flat edge. Much better.

 

Things were kind of static for the little horse here.

 

 

So I tilted some parts. Now I see the heart needs to 

break out of the outside border...snip, snip.

This needed a broken border, too. 

It feels bigger now.

This talking to myself is very helpful. Will unfold the edges 

on this cloth and give this bird some room to wander. 

Thank you, Jude.

When to stop mending?

I believe this is where to stop.

American Boro Cloth

All flags sewn on (4" squares) nine patch.

Have made linen frayed patches to sew on.

Mending places to show where they've broken. 

Respect for all.

Sewing lately

The dots came in handy making this. 

It just continued to grow up into space. Then it grew roots.

 

At least one blouse in it. Jude's class is showing in my work.

 

I keep hearing folks yelling about what our country is or isn't.

What if it could be many realities respecting differences.

Far from where we are now but as close as our noses.

Now I need stripes.