Before we move along…not only do I want to extend a thank you to all of you who joined in…but also to Virginia and Lisa for kicking off such a wonderful topic and stimulating a sincere and open conversation on the previous post….everyone sees things differently. Thank you!
Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about inspiration and where to find it. I will always get inspiration from photographers’ blogs and websites, but this past year the list has been whittled down considerably. I think after awhile we reach a point of saturation and everything starts looking the same. Like I mentioned previously…a sunset is a sunset is a sunset. There is nothing wrong with a sunset, I just need more at this point in my photography journey to keep me interested…to keep me inspired.
So I’ve been looking for inspiration outside the photography world…watching documentaries, studying the masters (♥ de Kooning), visiting museums, being in nature and of course traveling is a big one for me…experiencing different cultures and environments. I’m also finding that having ongoing photography projects keeps me inspired, as well as painting, doodling, coloring…really, the possibilities are endless. Besides all of that…I am totally inspired by others who create amazing art through other mediums.
I wanted to dig a little deeper on this topic so I’ve asked several people whose art I admire and whose primary focus is not photography. Honestly I can’t recall when I came across Ruth, but her handmade quilts caught my attention immediately. Ever since I was a small child, I have loved the quilts handed down from both of my grandmothers.
Even today these quilts are on my bed in my Arizona home, the apartment in the city, and my bedroom at my mom’s house. I can close my eyes and still picture my grandmothers cutting fabrics…having no idea at the time how much these quilts would continue to be a part of my life. So when I came across Ruth’s quilting, I knew I wanted to learn more…
So when I asked Ruth how she started with quilting…well it was no surprise to learn it all started with her grandmother too…
I have always loved home arts. Fabrics have been in my home and in my blood always. My Grandma Olive designed clothes for Vogue, and we inherited some of her things. As a young girl I played dress up and held these fabrics with great pleasure. I remember two beautiful Grandmothers Flower Garden (hexagon pattern) quilts on twin beds that my Grandma Olive had made. I admired them but never thought of quilting then. Then when I was a young mother, a woman in our church made fabulous traditional quilts and showed them to me one day. This was the mid-1980s, in the height of country decorating. I was inspired by the machine-pieced, hand-quilted quilts that covered the beds in her home. So I began machine piecing a few traditional quilts, following patterns in books and magazines. I never took a class. We moved to Istanbul in 1985 and I continued piecing and quilting by hand for my family. Turkish women always had needlework in their hands during afternoon tea, usually crochet or knitting. They were fascinated by my fabrics and traditionally pieced blocks. I loved playing with the design, colors, and patterns of fabrics in combination.
created and photographed by Ruth Mowry
What’s your process? Where do you find your inspiration?
Often I have a vision of a quilt in my head as I fall asleep at night. Then I’ll play with it next sewing session. Maybe two colors like olive green and ochre. I have also written a lot of poetry in my time, and improv quilting is like poetry. You start out with a vision, and then the poem or the quilt takes its own direction. There is a lot of editing in the process, and I am not always happy with the result. Sometimes I am surprised by what the result reveals, and how it speaks to me, as if it created itself through me. But usually it starts with a color or two, and then I scour my Pinterest board and quilt books for a design inspiration. No matter how much a person imitates another artist, the new creation will always be one’s own. You can’t help it! But seeking inspiration from others is a huge part of my time, like a hen pecking at the ground all day and laying one little egg. (love that!)
created and photographed by Ruth Mowry
So where are you going with this passion of yours?
With the approach of two more grandchildren, I developed better skills at machine piecing and quilting modern quilts. I explored and discovered a whole new world of improv quilting, which thrilled me. I could piece without measuring! It felt like a real art form. I call myself a quiltist. Fabric as medium is just the sweetest thing to me, I absolutely love it. Just a year and a half ago, I got serious and decided to make quilts to sell on Etsy. I bought a new quilting sewing machine. Retirement is a few years away, and I would love to supplement our income with this little business.
Isn’t her art wonderful? Don’t you just love how we can inspire each other? You can check out Ruth’s blog here, instagram here and Etsy! You’ll see she not only makes quilts, but mug mats, placemats and napkins too. She also lives on this adorable farm in Michigan and her other half makes amazing tables like the one here. Oh that table top pattern…those wabi-sabi table legs…swoon! Amazing talent in this family!
Looking forward to sharing more thoughts from a couple of other artists over the next few postings so stay tuned! So what about you? Would love to hear where you find your inspiration!
~~~
And all of these evenings on the roof? Talk about inspiration…
sitting there and taking in the work of the greatest artist of them all has given me time in my own head…
and time to come up with the name for my sunset/sunrise unnamed series…
rhythms from the sky…
because each evening brings a different rhythm…
as mother nature has this amazing way of not repeating herself.
Great shot of you on the roof – Love it so much. What a wonderful name you came up with for your sunrise/sunset series – Just perfect! Each one does bring a different rhythm.
I remember the photo of you napping on the quilt with your cat. It is so sweet and adorable. I get your love for quilts, they hold a lot of memories and history for you and are so comforting and interesting that no two are alike.
Ruth is very talented and I love her story of her love of quilts, too. I may not be an artist but that’s exactly how and where I get inspiration from: Other peoples’ stories and their journey on this earth. There are lessons to be learned from everyone we know. Whether good or bad experiences, somehow if we’re open to it, we learn and can be inspired. Inspiration not only in the form of art but to make changes in this world. Whether it’s through art, photography, writing, so many artistic medias, but there is humor, compassion, friendship, humanity that can be sparked by just being present and paying attention to the people who touch our hearts. Being present and silent can be so inspiring. These are the times you “hear” what others are saying, see flowers blooming, notice a beautiful sunset or a rainbow. Something that stops you cold in your tracks. Nature can be so inspirational and breathtaking but I find people fascinating. Their journeys, lives, stories inspire me to learn more, quench my desire to experience more, do more, be a better person, make a difference in some way in the short time we are here.
Thank you again for a beautiful post, photographs and topic.
Love you.
xoxoxo
One thing I forgot to mention is that you may feel at times that point of saturation, where everything blends in and starts to become boring and look the same but I must say this: I have never seen anyone with such vision as yours. One who can take the most ordinary every day object we may pass by daily and never notice and bring it to life in the most magnificent way. The lighting, the moment, the mood, you have the gift to capture it and make it very extraordinaraly beautiful all of the time. I love seeing the world through your eyes and soul. It’s never ordinary, it’s fascinating.
Isn’t Ruth so talented? Glad you enjoyed her too. So loved reading your thoughts about inspiration and I know others will too! And always…way too kind, but thank you! xo P.S. Now go do something with this wonderful writing talent you have! Need to share it with others girlfriend!
Your welcome! I’m always happy to be part of stimulating and sincere conversation….
I love anything homemade, and I love all of these beautiful quilts and all of them on Ruth’s website. I think quilts that are made from pieces of recycled material, such as an old shirt, dress, or perhaps your mother/grandmother’s old apron, anything that would have meaning to the person receiving the quilt are the best. I can’t think of a better way to personalize the gift as well as hand down a beautiful piece of family history… Anyone that receives a homemade quilt receives a true treasure!
Love the name you picked for your sunset series. XoXo
Totally agree with you VK…love the family history of a quilt and what it represents. I am so fortunate to have so many treasures from my parents and grandparents! Thanks always…xoxoxo MORE!
I so much agree with the saturation bit on the internet and everything blending together. The internet can be a good thing, but it can also bring you to a halt. That has happened to me at times, really more times than I like to admit. I have also taken myself off the grid for about 6 months and concentrated on my blog as that is where I see myself and my vision so to speak. It may not appeal to others but it is where I see the world. I am not in this for anyone else but for my journey.
I also have a quilt made by my mother all by hand and it is a treasure to me and will be passed down to my daughter. Gosh, I can’t believe you are on that roof, scares the blank out of me. But it is one cool shot.
I couldn’t agree with you more Barbara. In fact, I’ve got a future blog posting on something similar so stay tuned. Would love your voice. Totally on board with your thoughts surrounding the blog. I adore instagram and how easy it is…but like I was mentioning to another friend this morning, my blog is my voice and my journal. One day I’ll take my favorite postings and make a book…then when I reach that age when I can only rock in my chair…well I’ll have something to read and reflect back on! Thank you…so appreciate you coming here. I had to chuckle while I was up on the roof…I bet I could see your home! 🙂
What a treat to see you there up on the roof with your camera and napping peacefully on that pretty quilt with your kitty. Loved reading and seeing all the beauty of Ruth’s creations, very inspiring.
I also loved reading the beautiful words that Lisa left for you, I feel exactly the same way but could never come close to writing it so perfectly.
xoxo
Thanks SusanMarie. I knew would enjoy Ruth’s beautiful quilts and her story. And doesn’t Lisa have a gift? Always love when you come by…thank you! RobinMarie xoxoxo
Robin, I feel as though I’m about to explode with ideas and inspiration and projects and things I want to do and make! Love the photo of you in silhouette up on the roof! And, it seems we are at the same place in our photography journey. I need something more . . . and I’ve been having a blast exploring every back road (my compliment to your travels), going to museums and art galleries, and get this, talking to artists who work in other mediums! I am a quilter and immediately fell in love with Ruth’s work! I adore the contemporary style of quilting (which rather seems like a full circle back to the origins of quilting to me), and have a stack of fabric waiting for me. Quilting is a fall pursuit for me (and this year will help me to miss my son a little less). My goal is to talk to a cousin of my mother’s who makes rag rugs – folk art style. And now you and Ruth have given me courage to follow this notion.
Keep along this path. I’m so enjoying every word and picture.
Oh, I totally get the explosion part! Me too…there aren’t enough days left in my life time to do what I want to do!! Focus, Focus, Focus is my new mantra… How wonderful that you are into quilting as well. I just love Ruth’s talents and knowing yours…WHOAAA!!!! Those will be some killer quilts. Can’t wait! The perfect add to your amazing talents to keep your mind off your son. I’m sure that’s going to be a hard one and I’m sure there’s mixed emotions when they leave the nest and head for college. So you keep at it…we’ll all keep at it…and always…thank you. xo
The ladies above said it all! I too find inspiration in nature or by travelling or in an old object I found on a fleamarket! Not even mentioning museums ,exhibitions or just looking at the moon! Was that what you did sitting on the roof?
I love quilts and their tradition of working on it together in the old days. Ruth is a wonderful artist and I was happy to have discovered her on instagram.
Thanks Karen! Yes, many evenings climbing up on the roof to watch and capture the sunset! And then one night of pure luck…the full blue moon…priceless!
Dear Robin!
This is all so wonderful. Thank you for featuring me and my quilts and giving me a chance to think a little about where this all came from for me. You have honored me so generously!
As you know, you inspire me constantly, so having you draw out my thoughts in the context of your journey feels fantastic. That idea of the hen gathering all day and laying one egg is not original with me, but I cannot recall where I read it. In any case, we choose where we gather from, and like you, over time it feels better to whittle down the list of sources because of that saturation point. I love that we evolve!
There is something important about the two images of you here, the one on the roof, and the one of little you asleep on the beautiful star quilt. I want to meditate on them and how they connect me with my inner artist. I appreciate the commenters so much, and especially how they feel about homemade quilts. It feels like an essential thing to do at the moment! 🙂
It was a pleasure to share your talents with others! Aren’t we all so fortunate? And even more so that I met you through Ginnie! THANK YOU!!!
You know how thrilled I am, Robin, to see my very own flesh and blood (my best sister in the world) featured here on your blog. What a wonderful surprise for me this morning. Thank you. Ruth has creative gifts for many lifetimes and is learning, like you, to Focus Focus Focus. She and hubby both have a paradise there on their farm. Maybe one day you’ll be able to visit them there…and if Astrid and I are there at the same time, how fabulous! [We’re planning to be there in May-ish of 2018, the year Nicholas graduates from high school in Atlanta and my high school class celebrates its 55th class reunion in Michigan, not far from Ruth.]
You make a great Fiddler on the Roof! Keep fiddling because you’ve got quite a following. 🙂
Well I have to thank YOU for the connection! Like you…very special! And yes, I think a trip to the farm is in order! That would be so much fun! Thanks so much Ginnie!
Hear, hear, Robin, about coming to the farm! Yes, it would be superb if you come with Ginnie and Astrid! But I would love to meet you before then. Maybe in NY? I hope to go back next spring on another museum trip, fingers crossed.
Keep me posted! Always enjoy hooking up in my city! And would love a trip to the farm! Thank you!!
We would have a blast all together at the farm (In Dutch we say ‘on’ the farm) HA you will have a grand view when you are on the roof like your first picture.
I get my inspiration everywhere, observing, looking at, reading, hearing, surfing the world wide web…. and sometimes I make things up myself.. like my signature in my pictures.
Ruth and I go back a long time, a little after I met Ginnie, Ruth has always been supportive and I admire her creativity in everything she does.
(her husband though is a master with wood…. I will hang out with him a lot and my fingers will itch to help him)
A great post to have us think again (it is dangerous to think, I often say 😉 )
Love and hugs.
Oh gosh we would have such a wonderful time, wouldn’t we? I also say…”on” the farm…grew up saying it that way! I’ve been more aware lately of where I’m getting my inspiration and you’re so right…just reading, listening, observing…there’s so much opportunity! And like you say…just make it up too! Ha! Thank you so much Astrid!
oh, to be the kind of person who tells stories with their quilting.
such a soulful art. real artists, those. I can’t imagine sitting that long.
I really admire. love these photos. your photography inspires me!
-Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer! So appreciate your comments and YOU!