jude hill is hosting a wonderful charity event call the magic feather project. in her words, "the magic feather project is a collective stitching project focused on creative sharing and giving." it is an exciting adventure and has really rekindled a lot of sentiments in my own work as well as in others'!
these two feathers pictured above are my first two for the project. the feather on the left is stitched on a 5" square of vintage silk slub changeable moire drapery from my childhood home (mom gifted me with the drapes for my first apartment...i've used them in various homes and finally retired them to my fabric stash). some feathers have journeyed farther...flown harder...soared higher...than others. though worn and tattered, their beauty still graces those who gaze upon them. this feather is amongst others in this trait. no stripes for this one...though the line is a bit worn and tattered... it rests in the center where two circles come together (a personal symbol for home and hearth). the feather on the right is a variation of jude's striped feather...but with polka dots...and rests on a 5" square of silk slub drapery retired from my first art studio. it is flanked by polka dots and tiny "x's". i know there is personal meaning in them, but their whispers are too soft for me to hear right now...
throughout jude's workshops, she talks about personal symbols...and shows us their magic in her work. i have always been aware of this concept in jude's work. but, for some reason, through this project, the idea and presence of personal symbols have taken on a new importance for me. i find myself pondering late into the night on my own personal symbols...like the double circle in the first feather block above...and asian bats...coins...skulls...ganesh...leaves...twigs...holey stones...and a host of others. already, ideas are germinating and new direction in my work is forming. it will be interesting to begin to pay attention to that which was already there...and to watch those newly forming...as i move forward and release them in my artwork....
for this, and so much more, i am eternally grateful to jude...
namaste'
If one could sit above the earth and hear the thoughts in our heads, I am sure it would be wondering why all this sudden chatter about magic feathers, personal symbols, Jude, etc. You have echoed the thoughts that have been swirling in my head. Jude teaches us more than she will ever know. Beautiful feathers and story. I love the polka dots.
ReplyDeletethank you, jeannie. and, yes, so true. in tibetan buddhism there is the concept of mind being outside ourselves...and the idea that thoughts and images pass through mind, affecting all those it touches. this would be a prime example of how that works. :)
ReplyDeleteI kind of wanted to say something a bit more deep and meaningful, but all I can find to say is that these are really lovely feathers, Joe. They just are, perfect. It was a delight to see them here.
ReplyDeletethank you, karen. i can think of nothing "more deep and meaningful" than your honest and most kind words! they mean the world to me...
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post and those feathers are fantastic, I love that you have fabric from your childhood home in your fabric stash it gives your work even more meaning. Off to find out more!
ReplyDeletethanks, niky! it's scary, sometimes, what i have in my stash and where/when it comes from... lol
ReplyDeleteBeautiful feathers and lovely stories to go with them.
ReplyDeletewow...Joe...I love what you have written: "the idea that thoughts and images pass through mind, affecting all those it touches."
ReplyDeleteThis feather project of Judes truely is a wonder...and so are your feathers and fabrics and your story.
well look at these! thank you for such kind words. a teacher's dream.
ReplyDeleteJoe, I can't wait to see where you go with this. Lovely work. Circles are my symbol, and cones as if you could'nt tell :-). xoxo
ReplyDeletecones. yes! annie...i have enjoyed your cone paintings for some time now! circles extending off into infinity...or back into the endless days. constricting. expanding. all at the same time. what fun!
ReplyDeleteOh yes I feel the same about Jude and her inspiration. I have many wakeful nights thinking, dreaming stitchntoo x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful feathers. The X - lots of meaning, in England we mark a X for a kiss, but more interesting, it also stands for 1000 in ancient Greece (1000 feathers?). In the runic alphabet it is called Gif, and means gift. Perhaps none of these reflect your personal meaning for this symbol, but I thought it was interesting all the same. I am always inspired by your words Joe :)
ReplyDeletethank you all for such kind words and observations! it seems no matter how i try to say "no" when asked to pull extra shifts, i just can't seem to bear the sad looks of disappointment and so i find myself continuing to do 70-80 hour work weeks. much to my disappointment because this leaves little else but sleep to fit in between shifts...
ReplyDeletei simply must, must, MUST make a change!!!
70 - 80 hour shifts?! No wonder your all of a flux and feeling pulled twixt there and back again!
ReplyDeleteNow Im aware I dont know what you do in those shifts.....maybe your a brain surgeon or someone equally as vitally necessary!......but..just a thought or three because I recognise the dilemma.
I think NO is one of the hardest words to say to anyone.. and yet for our personal survival, mentally and physically, ( let alone for our soul!)its probably one of the most important words we should maybe learn to use more often.
If we dont use it more often, we can grow to resent what we have not said no to lol and that breeds all mananer of wasted energies in us!
As I age Im learning to say it more often and have finally measured its success at work...once its used afew times, it amazingly brings a release in all manner of ways.
So now Im practising its use with family, whom Ive supported emotionally and financially alone for more years than I was ever married! lol
There comes a time when I reckon, when we should think of ourselves and step back more often and allow in the next 'team'....if you follow my logic!
Folk often dont 'step up' unless theres a void?
And if we always 'do', then others very often 'won't', Ive found.
None of us are irreplaceable and if we dont step back,( preferably before health keels us over!) others wont stand up to the fore and realise what they can do, or others wont see whats needed, more staff maybe in your case!
And sometimes, it shows how insignificant, maybe less important or misplaced an activity sometimes is. So value can be concenrated elsewhere?
Sending you positive vibes..................here CATCH!
Dispointment would turn to joy when next you go and you may have had a breathign space in between?
Lovely feathers....
ReplyDeleteJude is such an inspiration and your words are beautifully written!
Hope you can find some stitching/resting time for you.
<3
in one of those lazy sunday morning wanders around the interwebs, i stumbled upon this beautiful place. your lack of caps (i never use them either), your thoughtfulness, your introspection - they were all exactly what i needed, right now, in this moment. thank you.
ReplyDeleteLovely work, Joe. I, too, am thankful for so much I have learned because of Jude.
ReplyDeletethanks so much julochka! i'm so pleased you found what you needed here! welcome and i hope you continue to find meaningful fragments here and there...
ReplyDeletenamaste'
morna! yes! jude is such an inspiration to so many of us! we have been delightfully graced by her creativity and web presence!
ReplyDelete