“Creative Time” with Brenda
Each Thursday morning, Brenda and I get together for “Creative Time.” We consult, explore, experiment, and share. And since we are both fiber artists, we stroke fibers, fabrics, yarns, and threads. If we need a specific color or texture of fabric or yarn, we explore how to create them. We experiment with intriguing techniques. And we discuss projects for using the results of our experimentations and explorations. Once projects are underway, we consult, cheer, encourage, and admire. Between projects, we go for walks, discussing plans along the way, photographing inspirations from nature, and recharging.
The first quilt in my Spiral Series includes a gradation of indigo fabrics. Years ago, Brenda brought an indigo starter kit to “Creative Time,” launching my obsession with indigo dyeing. Years and yards later, as I assembled that first Spiral quilt and considered what embellishment to add, I thought of Brenda’s Sashiko stitching and realized that I wanted her to embellish my quilt. Brenda agreed to embellish one for me, and I assembled and embellished one for her.
Around this same time, another friend commissioned a Spiral quilt. I enjoyed the process so much that I invited Brenda to collaborate on the Spiral quilt of her choice. Her daughter sent her a photo of Prairie Smoke (in the gallery below), and her brain started swirling with her naturally dyed fabrics. Together we spent a “Creative Time” planning a Spiral quilt. Once it was assembled, I realized this quilt also needed a partner and Brenda graciously shared her fabrics with me. While she looked to the Prairie Smoke photos for embellishment inspiration, I was drawn to collections of fossils and stones.
Brenda has also provided “Creative Time” consultation on nearly every quilt in my Spiral series. She has offered color and fabric advice, and shared fabrics, threads, yarns, fossils, and other embellishments. She has offered encouragement during creative blocks and celebrated quilt completions. Because her artistic style and color palette differ from my own, she offers ideas and solutions from a new perspective. Best of all, when others tire of my artist projects, explorations, experimentations, research, conversation, and adventures, Brenda is ready with a new artistic idea to chase and share.
