Subversive Poppies

THINK... Post Truth = Bull Shit (Subversive Poppies)

I was the little kid enraptured by my Grandma Eva Avans Baker's circle of women around the quilt frame. The frame was put away as her circle got smaller and she learned "quilt as you go" techniques.  She always had a basket of hand stitching, as do I.

I made my first quilt as a teenager, sitting on the floor of Grandma's house and I've quilted my way though most life events since.  The stitches and colors create a language and flow as fast as my fingers can travel across the fibers. Technique and precision become secondary to the creation.  I leave lots of loose threads. The loose threads allow the prayers to pass through.

Why is THIS the time we have landed in this arc of history? 

Where do I fit in?  Quilts are my chosen canvas... 

Delores and I with RR, Washington, D.C., 1984

I know it's self indulgent that I'm drawn to make this blog. Some would say I waste time here.  I say it helps save me. The ideas come faster than I can execute and I have a need for solitude as a balance. The time always leads to my studio and the stories there. The exploration of what I want to say continues.

  

I am saddened when I see FEAR being used to divide us against each other.  We've seen entire groups of people labeled as "other" to demean and therefore make them easy to fear, then hate. The constant fueling of fear and encouragement of violence is terrifying.   

  

Grandma made the crochet lace under this cage.  "Fear Cages" you into a smaller world.  

"Fear is the path to the dark side...fear leads to anger...

anger leads to hate...hate leads to suffering."  Yoda

Grandma Baker's Great Great Grandfather Westley Avans made it home after the Civil War.

With Michelle at Women's March, January 2017

 #FEARLIES