Priorities
I have become aware of dust bunnies and a neglected car, paper piles and soiled slip covers. These things are on, and then off my radar, with no action taken. There are a limited number of hours in a day and there is a limited supply of energy in a person. So these things usually get pretty bad before I make time for them. Grocery shopping sometimes falls in this category also. I'll go out of my way to create meals out of nothing for many days running, just to avoid the trip. I get away with this, because I have a talent for making meals out of nothing. Those I feed seldom notice. There are several things that I wish I could say were priorities. I should walk each day and read the books for book club. Sadly, I have little enthusiasm right now for these activities.
I DO have priorities. They are: brushing my teeth, keeping up with garden spots that are in the public view and caring for my zone of vegetables (my husband and I have split the watering into zones), feeding two adults and helping care for grandchildren, and spending time in my studio working on projects. I feel that doing artwork is a responsibility. Also, the laundry is usually in good shape and the kitchen is always put to bed clean (if you don't look at the floor!).
At the end of July, I will be hanging an Abstract Art show at our local Art Center. The planning was put into motion many months ago when artists were asked to submit 3 -5 pieces of art each. This is an opportunity for me to display some of my own abstract art. I have created two new pieces for the show. I made this a priority.
My abstract art is often a response to the times. What did I want to say about a pandemic? How did I do this without using figures or words?
These pieces are pretty self-explanatory, once you see their titles. If you saw them without an introduction, you might see something else.
June 2020 USA is mostly sewn by hand. I have left a lot of frayed edges. My concept was to show: hot spots (orange areas), dead people of color stacked up (brown bands), a curtain of virus (tiny white spots), and angry public protests (large red X's to symbolize a loud NO).
Summer Surge was sewn using the sewing machine and a technique called reverse applique. I did the applique and quilting at the same time. I made a sandwich of four layers to create a quick quilt. On the bottom was black fabric, then batting, then orange fabric with red patch, and then black fabric again on top. I sewed a free form design through all layers, and then cut away most of the top black layer to reveal the orange and red. I used some of the same red and orange fabrics that were in June 2020 USA. The small blue spot in the corner is Wyoming. I put a very quilterly binding on the edge.
Here are the two pieces together.
And now, to change the subject back to the garden. Using fresh herbs is a special seasonal joy. Here is a good use for basil.
Watermelon Salad: Cut watermelon into bite-size chunks. Add olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, fresh chopped basil, and small bits of mozzarella cheese.