A little whine with dinner

I have a plethora (however many you think that is) of beautiful books on quilting, fiber art, book arts and the like. They are always at my fingertips, along with certain back-issues of much-loved magazines such as Selvedge or Quilting Arts, not to mention old Gudrun Sjoden catalogs. I have four works in progress laying out in various states of completion, including the crows piece I've had since winter, a Traveler's Blanket (online class with Dijanne Ceval), and two starts on food/justice works for upcoming shows. I also have patterns and fabric out for a curtain I started last December, which I'm being clunky about. I have a nice new work surface, and all the materials I need at my fingertips. And I am dragging dragging dragging my heels. I want to work. I did, a little. I dyed some woven cloth with Setacolors, but my sunprint wouldn't work because the sun went away. And in spite of my heat gun and also a couple hours on the line, the darned thing STILL isn't dry.

I spent the best part of the day being a consumer; and since I've been home, I've accomplished little more than swept floors and a few loads of laundry. I've played a lot of mahjong on facebook. And then a lot of Freecell. I ate a Hershey bar. Made sure the boy practiced his piano, and took a bath. Resolved a few bureaucratic hassles on the phone.

It's been building over the past few days, this muddle. I've watched a lot of TV. Drank some vodka, and some wine. Felt devoid of energy. Could be hormones, partly. Could be the transition between school-year and summer for the family. Decreasing amounts of quiet time, personal space. Seeping angst, and the usual relational struggles (people with lots of ideas about how I could be a better person.)

Art is sometimes a lonely business, and a struggle. It's central to my identity, and when it isn't "right" I feel really down and off. Or maybe it's the other way round?

As a friend said, tomorrow is another day I guess.

Northeast Art A Whirl!

HI All! Please join me at Grace Lutheran Church during this year's Northeast Art-A-Whirl (or during the month of May) to see 11 of my works including THREE new works. Joining me at Grace is artist Stephanie Forsyth of Fiber Nation fame! 
Today's exhibit hours: 1 pm to 5pm. Hope to see you there!!!

as the crow flies

Progress is incremental...closer to finished though.

April 16, and it's still snowing.

These are supposed to be Easter decorations for church. Could be a fail, but it's been fun to play around with. Between laundry and cooking, and caring for my sick boy.

Birdsong FM!

http://birdsong.fm/index.html

recent talking points

It's a crazy time. In the middle of it all -- work, homelife, kid's activities, relationship struggles -- I continue to work on my crow piece and to consider its meaning. It is looking beautiful -- though still lots of work to do, because the vast part of it is hand-sewn. When I'm not stitching, I am 1) Getting upgraded bifocals to make the stitching easier (old lady), and 2) thinking about other birds who are "in relationship" with crows.

copyright Jennifer Schultz 2014

The Snowy Owl, for example. Who will dive at solitary crows at dusk and can successfully kill and eat a crow. Not yet sure what I will do with the graphic above, though I'm thinking of playing with it more on Spoonflower. 

In other news I was accepted for publication in the online magazine ArtAscent, in February. And I have a small commission to finish, as well as a private workshop to teach, "Fiber Arts Playdate," towards the end of March. (Artist/moms, birthday cake, art, wine. Sounds pretty good eh?) 

I also need to curate a couple shows for work. Sigh. 

Thank God I get to make my own art. I'd lose my mind without it. 

work in progress...