Looking Backwards and Forwards

I've been reflecting on 2012 as I consider the upcoming months of 2013. What things do I want to be sure to remember from the past twelve months to inform how I meet the next twelve?

1) My family will always come first and take up a lot of time..... and that's a good thing.  The time I have with my children is very short in the grand scheme of things, so I'm going to celebrate the messiness they inherently bring.

I hope there will be  no more pouting about not getting to the studio!  Slap me if I do.

2) I'm going to remember that, despite the family obligations, I still made some art this past year that I'm really proud of.  In fact, I think I made some of my favorite pieces last year.  I only showed you a peek of this one before, but it's okay if I show you the entire quilt; it's one I especially like.  This is Behind the Barbed Wire and it's currently waiting for an exhibition with the group CLAW (Crossing the Line: Artists at Work), spearheaded by Karen Musgrave.

Behind the Barbed Wire

I think I'm growing as an artist and I hope I continue on that path.  Thoughtfully delving into a subject is great and can manifest itself into some pretty authentic art.  That's the goal, not the number of pieces I create.

3) I was a student more than I realized in 2012.  I took two eight week, on-line courses with Lisa Call in 2012: Working in a Series and Abstraction.  Working in a Series started my artistic exploration of a chair shape and I know I'll continue exploring it in the coming months.  I've long admired textile artists who can create abstract work, but I didn't know if I could use abstraction in my own work.  I took Lisa's abstraction class in an effort to learn more; I wanted to make a thoughtful decision on whether or not abstraction is "right" for me.  I had no idea how much I didn't know, about abstract art in general and the incredible intellectual approach to different forms of abstraction.  In addition to learning a great deal, I think the class made me a better art viewer.  I also made some really cool drawings that I will want to pursue in fabric some day.

I hope to continue to learn in 2013 because I'm a geek at heart.  It was wonderful to rediscover my passion for book -learning and inquisitive thought.  Loved it, loved it, loved it.  I don't know how this will manifest itself in the coming months, but I loved being a mini-academic.

4) An exciting development for me at the end of the year was my acceptance into the Latitude Quilts group.  I really enjoy the camaraderie of a group working towards a common goal.  To that end, the bi-monthly themed challenges of our group will get me thinking in new ways, especially since so many of the artists have a completely different perspective than my own since we're truly a global group.  I can't wait to hear their take on what I create.  Our first reveal is on January 31st.  In the spirit of experimentation, I'm thinking of trying to include some Christmas debris in my piece:

I look forward to being pushed by my new colleagues.

Here's to 2013!