![IMG_2711[1]](http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/IMG_27111.jpg)
I have not stopped thinking since I left the International Yokohama Quilt Week show on Saturday. Everything I thought I knew, what I thought I wanted, has been tossed and turned and challenged…
When Joshua and I first arrived at the quilt show in Yokohama, we hit the shop stalls. Which was a good thing. If we had attempted to go shopping properly after looking at the quilts, I don’t think it would have been nearly as productive as it was. Why? Because the first exhibit we really looked at after lunch was a special exhibit by Erin Wilson, and it was then my quilting life was changed. Joshua and I were both awestruck at two large quilts hung outside her exhibit – her use of colours, the shapes, the straight lines… And then we walked around the wall and saw the most tiniest piecing contained within geometric designs and straight lines. Each square telling a different story, uniquely interpreted by the individual viewer. While I saw buildings, power lines, forests, glasses, a spool with scissors, someone else might have seen something completely different within the piecing.
And the colour! Oh the colour. Have you ever seen an artist’s work and just known that they have the most incredible, intuitive gift for how to use colour?! Erin does. Even when it’s “just” neutrals – this mixture of greys with pops of red quilt was on display and was definitely a top favourite of mine. Keep in mind that these rows finish at approximately 4 or 5″ tall! The flow of colour in the “big picture” combined with the individual blocks (finishing at 2.5″ square!) in her Storyboards are just overwhelming in person.
We were really lucky to be able to talk to her partner Owen first, who informed us that these were not foundation pieced at all! Erin uses an industrial Juki and does it all by herself. Each block is unique, intuitive and unplanned – no sketching. Erin returned from the awards ceremony and spent some time talking with us about her process from dying her own fabrics to drawing inspiration from architectural magazines to avoiding burnout to how she actually constructs a block. How does she get 1/16″ piecing? Lots of practice, pressing every seam and trimming seam allowances once sewn.
Introspective Thought #1 – How I envy her ability to just let go and create! I need more of this in my life. Next year, I’m reducing my Bee commitments to just two in which I will have the majority of creative control with what I make within the specified theme and/or colours. I need to focus on my creativity, to find my style, to hone my skills.
We even talked about pricing quilts and art in a realistic, professional manner. She is an artist – she makes her living from selling her quilts and doing commissioned pieces. Her small pieces start at around $1800 and her larger pieces are $5000+, and yet she still has people asking her, “What’s the best price you can do?” We reflected on the fact that our self-esteem, our self-worth, is tied into pricing our creations. Each piece includes a part of our heart, our soul. Creativity is us. Selling our work is selling a piece of us. You don’t try and bargain with employees in any other work setting, asking what’s the best price they can work for each day! But somehow it’s alright to do the same to artists?
Introspective Thought #2 – Having recently priced my first commission, I started low. Too low, but even before Saturday I was already comfortable and confident enough to price it higher. After Saturday, I’m even more confident of this – I am worth more!
We also talked about how Erin needs to do a book. Even if it’s “just” a coffee table book full of pictures of her blocks and pieces! How I would love a book in a block-per-page style just to sit and ponder each one, admiring the piecing, interpreting the stories. Or a book about her creative thought process, her inspiration, how she dies her fabric, tips and pointers on how to start making blocks like her’s.
There are so many quilt books coming out, with many more on the way no doubt! It’s been so exciting to see fellow bloggers getting published, or starting writing. It’s been a dream of mine too for quite a while now, and while being raw and honest, it was something that I was right at the cusp of beginning the process. Some emails have been exchanged, sketches drawn, outlines written. But then last week, my future became a little more definite, and yet a little more uncertain. There is a real chance of me getting some part-time work next year, which would be fabulous for the budget with Isabelle beginning preschool next year, and yet that would greatly affect my time to create. Would I then have the time to write a book, should my proposal get accepted, as well as work, be there for the family/visitors, etc? Do I want to try and cram it all in at the expense of not “being present” for our time in Japan?
Introspective Thought #3 – If anyone deserves to write a book, it’s Erin. Someone who has been working for over 7 years creating, learning, developing, honing. That little sliver of a thought that questioned whether I was ready or not to write a book has grown even larger – am I truly “established enough” to write a book to teach others? I feel like if I were to pursue a book now, it would not be from the right motivation of wanting to teach, nor would I have the time to maintain the passion necessary to avoid burnout.
As I said to Joshua, we’ve only been quilting for a couple of years, and while we just want to DO IT ALL NOW!, just imagine where we will be ourselves in 7 years time! I think that’s the key thought – I’m only a quilting baby. I have plenty of time! I need to take it slow, focus on the now in both my quilting and in my family life; to focus on developing my skills and finding myself as an artist. And while I feel like everything I thought on Friday has now been completely messed up, I also feel like I’ve found my footing a bit better. My thoughts have better clarity as to what I want. I now just need to do it.
Note – I have not shared pictures of her work because we were unable to take photos in her exhibit and I have not yet emailed her to ask permission to share any from her website. Please do go check her work out! I also want to thank Joshua for finding the words and questions when talking with Owen and Erin as I was honestly a little awestruck and couldn’t think of what to say.
Kristy @ Quiet Play says
Seriously great post, lovely. I love that quilting can be both a hobby and something to challenge us and keep us thinking, learning, and growing. Thanks for the links to Erin’s work – seriously incredible!
Ros says
So interesting! Great to hear all about it and so good to hear how much you have enjoyed it. The last two quilt shows I’ve been to in Melbourne have not really inspired me much. Very traditional styles and similar colour palettes – obviously there is a particular trend amongst older quilters who enter the shows here and there is yet to be many modern quilt entrants. I hope it changes.
Jess @ Scrappy n Happy says
Great, thought provoking post! I have been sewing/quilting for over 10 years now but it wasn’t until I started blogging 4 years ago that I realised how big the industry is and got truly motivated! Only in the last year have I been published. It has been a fairly long road for me and sometimes I still question my style and abilities. But we are all different and that’s what keeps it exciting!
Lara says
Wow! Thank you for another wonderful post. And thank you for introducing such an incredible artist. I have now bookmarked Erin’s fabulous website and have been truly inspired! I want to be just like her when I ‘grow up’!
Adrianne says
Wow Alyce, thank you so much for introducing me to Erin’s work. It is amazing and like you, I am struck by the presence of a true artist! Just incredible. It makes me feel utterly inadequate – I will never be that pure of an artist. At the same time I think there is room in the world for all types – I’m sure Erin didn’t start out making crazy intricate quilts with hand dyed fabric and we all have to start somewhere. If you are able to offer a way for people to get started, because you have the perspective of a relatively recent beginner, I think go for it. People who have been sewing for a long time sometimes forget that it’s not all obvious if you haven’t done it before. At the same time, if the timing isn’t right, hold on. I too want to do everything RIGHT NOW but there will still be room for you in the future 🙂
Melissa says
Very well said! I truly get what you’re preaching and thanks for sharing your personal feelings on this. Makes me feel like we are all in the same boat with the same need/pressure to succeed. And Erin’s work is amazing!
Jane says
Great post, Alyce! The creative process is just that, a process, and you are smart to spend some time figuring out what to do and where to go next. Which is not to say you’re not super talented, just that everyone needs to consider their creative self once in a while.
ayumills says
Loved reading this post, Alyce! I too was completely impressed with Erin’s work at the show and having a chat with her gave me a lot of things to think about. There are so many quilts I am inspired by, but often I also think about how stressful it must have been to make them. Erin’s quilts are different. Though her work is extremely detailed, you can imagine having her truly enjoying every step involved in putting together each of her quilts. It’s probably because her quilts reflect her inner artist completely.
I wish I had seen you at the show!!
Marie Lismore says
Alyce this is a fabulous post!! I love how you have shared your thoughts and challenged what you want to achieve. Sometimes life throws us a curve ball and it really makes us think about what we want. Have fun and enjoy …. Thank you for introducing me to Erin’s work….amazing.
DeborahGun says
wow – so much to think about. I think the bloggy quilting world (without meaning to) has made us feel like we need to produce our creations quickly, but we really need to slow down, think, sketch, experiment with our creativity and see where we get to! I know you will do this and hope you don’t feel the pressure to create things that are not really you. I love your style so far 🙂
Leigh Anne says
Thank you so much for you thoughts and perspective. It is wonderfully written and thought provoking for me as well 🙂
SarahZ says
Turning points are amazing! Thank you for sharing yours! May you and Joshua go forth with love and patience. Life IS good!
Becca Bryan says
Great post Alyce. These are all worthy thoughts, thanks for sharing.
I had to laugh… we have the same initials in our brands… “BHQ”. At times, I’ve thought, “should I shorten to BHQ?” I hadn’t and I won’t. But we are brand initial twinsies.
Going to look up Erin’s work…
bobbiesews says
I truly enjoy your perspectives. BTW’thanks for intro-ing me to Joshua. I wanted to say Julia Ming-hsui was my favorite but then was blown away by Natsumi Ohara. Thanks for all of your posts.And of course this giveaway.
Rebecca says
I went to Erin’s site…..WOW….I agree some people are just artists intrinsically it just presents itself through different mediums, Erin’s work makes you just stare and stare and you keep seeing different things the longer you look, I imagine in the flesh it was awe inspiring!
Molli Sparkles says
Oh Lady Alyce! Thank you for the shout out and being my companion for the day. I’m still thinking about Erin as well, and was speaking at length to my coworker about her today. Your post was spot on, and your internal monologue totally relatable. I’ll be your question translator anytime!! 😉 haha
Serena @ Sewgiving says
When a hobby is on the cusp of being something bigger??? … it’s always interesting to see how everyone deals with it differently. I truly hope you find a way to do what ultimately make YOU happy 🙂
Yvonne says
I love this post, and the honesty that you share. It really does translate beautifully in your blog and sewing. I really enjoyed seeing Erin’s work. I always do what my heart tells me.. Sometimes, it works out and other times not, but I am stronger either way. Although, selfishly speaking, I would totally buy your book! 🙂
Aylin-Nilya says
Love your post. I had goosepimples while reading it. So great, that you shared your thought, Feelings and fear with us. WOW!
moira says
Great post. I am totally with you about finding and developing your own creative path. Although if you’re a baby, I’m still germinating! Working out your own journey is more important than following the crowd, even it ends up going in the same direction. Good luck!
Catherine says
Hi Alyce! A lovely post, as per usual. I had a busy summer full of cross-continental moving and only recently got back into blogs and blogging…and at some point last week, I realized that I hadn’t read anything from you in quite some time. I checked, and sure enough, you’re still blogging! Somehow, you were not in my Bloglovin’ reader! So anyway, I’m glad to see your posts popping up again, as you are always delightful!