Repetition

It’s May, and my brain and body are starting to relax.  I’ve loved having a meaningful job teaching kids in person, but I’ve been stressed out of my mind going in to work.  I’ve hated wearing a mask while trying to teach masked students, hated the constant worry about who might bring COVID in to class.  But I no longer have the aftertaste of fear in my throat.  And I’m so grateful that at the end of June I will get a break.  Most essential workers can’t stop.

I still do not have the energy to do much after work, but I’m continuing my appliqué obsession.  I made hearts (70 I think, but let me re-count) then spirals (36) and am now working on smoke rings (40).  I’m appliquéing shapes onto 9 inch squares.  There is something calming about repetition, obsessively counting, one done, five done, now twelve.  I project how many I can finish by the weekend.  It feels productive.  As I use up these collections I don’t have to think, I just pick up the next square and keep making.

Spiral

Smoke Ring

While appliquéing spirals I wondered where that idea came from.  I love their movement and energy.  Then I looked closely at the puzzle I was putting together, a painting by Klimt of Adele Bloch-Bauer, and saw spirals everywhere.  I did not even notice them at first.  This is why I take photographs.  They help me focus on things I would not normally see, and those ideas influence me.  Sometimes I am conscious of the idea I’ve captured, and at other times not.  Either way, these ideas creep into my work.

I’m using up what I have.  I’m not sure I will like the quilts when I’m done, but I’m keeping myself busy and feeling productive.