Milestone
Today is a milestone moment, our first born turns 46 years old. My memory may be more spotty, as years go by, but my pregnancy with her, giving birth and the weeks immediately after remain strong. Becoming a parent is a definitely a milestone.
This week Kelly Netishen, Executive Director of the South Shore Art Center, where I am a gallery artist, came for a studio visit. I am honored that she was here for 2 hours and asked some great questions. During our visit one of my answers covered the journey of how I define who I am relative to my work. Early on, I thought of myself as a quilter. Then, when I started to make more art quilts and couldn’t resist tweaking traditional blocks and quilt patterns, I defined myself as an art quilter or fiber artist. It is only relative recently, when I am asked what I do, that I say I am an artist. Boy, did saying that out loud fell awkward and heavy with imposter syndrome. Yet when I told Kelly I was an artist, I said it with confidence. That is another milestone reached for me.
Secret Mission
One thing Kelly was interested in learning is my process. Fortunately, I thought that was something she might ask, so I was prepared with some typical steps I take before I start free motion quilting. The reality is that the whole time I am designing and making the quilt top, I am thinking about how I might quilt it. Between the embroidery and fabrics used in Secret Mission a running theme is leaves. So, leaves it is. Another consideration is what areas do I want to recede and which areas do I want to be in the foreground. The latter, or foreground needed to be the rings. Eventually, I settled in a small, simple leaf design.
How to execute a free motion quilting design, especially if it is my own, can be challenging. I have learned to doodle the design first. I always use a pen. This eliminates the temptation to erase. The goal is to doodle a continuous line and to figure out how to get into and out of the invariable tight spots.
Next I stitch the design on a “throw away” mini quilt. This helps build muscle memory for when I start quilting on the actual quilt. Finally, I take a deep breath and start stitching on the quilt itself. That always feels like a milestone moment, too.
Keeping It Reel
One thing I have wanted to do for years is figure out how to create reels of me working at the sewing machine. Well, I did it. Step one was buying a simple tripod and focusing my iPhone. Next time, I will try to angle the camera so that it focuses on the work under the needle. I didn’t add any music. However, if you watch with the sound on you can hear the relatively smooth rhythm of my stitching as I work. You can view the reel on both Instagram and Facebook
SEDOSO
SEDESO, the Senior Executive Director of Studio Operations, continues with his own recovery milestones. Now, he is able to navigate and work in the kitchen, once again. Yeah! Also, he can walk a few steps without any support.
Question of the Week
If you are willing to share, what milestones are you proud of reaching?
I’m linking up to the following posts:
Hooray for SEDOSO’s continued improvement! I agree with you about parenting being a milestone. I too am moving to think of myself as an artist. . .I’m not quite there yet; but, moving in that direction. You ask the best questions each week!
Thank you, Terry! Yes, taking on the responsibility for your child on a 24/7 is huge. Even with both our children in their 40’s, we are still parenting. 🙂 Why is it that calling oneself an artist seems so monumental and pretentious? I’m glad you enjoy my questions.
Glad to hear the SEDOSO is doing so well! When my hubby learned to cook, it was a real blessing. Milestones? Each of my children had a unique arrival; they are 45 and 41 this year but I still remember it all. And yes, just over 20 years ago I began to refer to myself as an artist — after I finished my City & Guilds program with UK textile artist Linda Kemshall. But the milestone for my art was when I was the first textile artist at my local annual art show to be named Featured Artist — for 2020…postponed until 2023. I still refer to myself as a textile artist. The qualifier is to set me apart in this rural community, where all artists are thought to be painters — with paint — and quilts still go on beds and hooked rugs still go on floors!
My attempts at cooking for us lasted about a week. SEDOSO worked his high school summers at a hamburger/fry shack on a Cape Cod beach. At 14 he was a dishwasher and moved on to slicing onions. By the time he was a senior in high school he manned the grill. He is much better at the timing of various components of a meal. I can assemble or cook on dish type meals. Too funny about your children’s ages. Mine are 46 and 42.
Congratulations on being the featured artist among artists of many mediums. One of the reasons I switched from fiber artist to artist is because so many people asked me what a fiber artist was.
So glad for his improvement.
and YES!! you are an ARTIST – I love that you said it with confidence!!!
Thank you, Alycia. It does come more easily, saying I am an artist the more often I speak it aloud.
I think your milestones are awesome. My younger daughter is turning 50 in June and I’m surprised by how I’m feeling about that. But what an important one to say you are an artist now-something I have always thought of you as. I’ll have to give some thought to the milestones query. Meanwhile, so very happy SEDOSO is making such wonderful progress. Take Care, J
Now you have me curious. How are you feeling about younger daughter turning 50? Funny how at first we only focus on our own birthday milestones. I recall what a big deal to me it was to reach double digits, then being a teen, reaching “adulthood” at 21 and even turning 65, which in the US gives us guaranteed medical care. Now we focus on our children’s milestones.
I’ve let SEDOSO know you are pleased for him.
Yah for SEDOSO’s continued progress. It’s so upsetting when the spouse can’t do their usual jobs. When I got married in 1979 I put my occupation as Maker on the license. I make things that most of the gen pop don’t. Like vinegar, soap, lip balm, bread, and of course clothes and DH’s clothes, suits etc., home dec and quilts and art quilts. Now I call myself a fiber artist even though I am still doing all those other things.
How wonderful that you opted to list your occupation as maker on your license. Of course, it is clearly true. Years ago, as in decades, I saw one woman listed her occupation as CEO of a small business. That business being her home. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
How great to have the visit of the gallery Executive Director, and it looks like you managed it perfectly. Yes you are an artist, and you can be proud of your work. I’m glad for your husband, he’s doing weel! Thank you for sharing your process and linking up.
Several months back I attended a seminar for the gallery artists. Kelly stated that she loved visiting artists studios, so please reach out to her to set up a date. I wrote her the next day. 🙂 Love the energy she is bringing to the gallery. She recently took over the position from the last ED, who had been there for approximately 10 years.
Always a joy to see what you are up to.
I, too, became a mother 45 years ago this week – definitely a milestone in life. How can that be 45 years ago?! The reel of you quilting was interesting, Gwyned! Looks like you are very smooth and steady at that. That’s exciting that you’re now quilting the secret project – I’m assuming it has a deadline. And so glad the SEDOSO is continuing to progress. I bet you missed his cooking!
My 46 year old dropped by for a visit, on her way to the airport, yesterday. Her life has been such a rollercoaster journey, and as her mother I have gone along for the ride, that I can attest it feels like a 46 year span since I first became a mother.
FMQ, for me, is like driving down a country road. I do feel as though I quilt smoothly. Until I filmed myself I had no idea how much of my body and head I put into the quilting. Probably because I am watching the quilt and my hands. Yes, Diann, the secret project does have a logical deadline. Fingers crossed that I make it.
The SEDOSO and I cook very differently. So, in some ways it was a treat to cook for myself, because I could choose the menu. Of course, it is also a treat when he cooks, because it saves me time. Mostly, it is important for his continued improvement since it requires all sort of skill for him to stand, pivot, reach, etc. In other words some good OT without it feeling like homework or being driven to work harder by his therapist.
You have the sensitivity of an artist and the zeal of a warrior. Wishing a speedy recovery to your SEDOSO. As I am contemplating retirement, I am practicing how I will introduce myself – Quiltmaker, Blogger, Author & Designer. Secretly, I want to be a Domestic Goddess 🙂 Sending big, squishy hugs to you!
Oh, I love “zeal of a warrior.” Never thought of myself quite like that before. If I were to introduce you, Preeti, I would call you a Renaissance Woman. Not only would that include all you do for your profession, but would allow for the Domestic Goddess you long to be. Reciprocating the hugs.
Hi Gwyned, congrats on the milestones. I’m really looking forward to seeing your secret mission. I also draw my FMQ designs but rarely practice the actual FMQ – I’m going to keep a sandwich handy for the next time. Thanks for sharing and for linking up to I Quilted This!
Can’t say that I always practice on a test quilt sandwich before the actual quilt, but it is a frequent way of working. Always happy to link up to I Quilted This whenever I feel I have some quilting featured in my post. Thank you for providing the opportunity.
Happy birthday to your first born. Yes, isn’t it interesting how we remember pregnancy to birth?
I found your thoughts about defining yourself as an artist very interesting. A friend keeps telling me I am an artist, whereas I feel uncomfortable. You have given me food for thought. Thank you!
Milestones? Becoming a bilingual teacher and celebrating 45 years of marriage. I miss teaching but love having time to spend with family.
Fabulous milestones,Patricia. One of my high school girl friends was bilingual and close to trilingual.I was fascinated by the ease by which she transferred from one language to another. I also admire those of us who who reach long term marriage milestones. Something that is becoming more rare with each passing year.