Sidewalks. Memory. Inspiration.
Some riffs on sidewalks.
I watched my feet. It was late afternoon-dark and the cracks and protrusions could be surprising obstacles. I loved the outcroppings, the shallow cliffs filled with grass and weeds that were connected to the large tree nearby, its roots extending out below and inside the territory of the sidewalk. Causing fault lines. Ruptures. In summer I would be without shoes and feel the warmth of the concrete on my skin. My feet were hardened leather. I can remember the sound of feet on concrete. A gentle pad. A pronouncement of place. I am here. Walking on this sidewalk.
In the fall I would be coming home from school from the bus stop shod in the required brown oxfords, the footwear of my uniform. I walked a different route then; the bus-stop-to-home sidewalks were not the same as my summer route. Yet they also belonged to me. I knew the cracks. I knew the trees. I could anticipate the count of my steps. The sounds. The feel of my feet scuffing paper-dry leaves. Smashing acorns like Godzilla. Owning the walk.
And now when I walk on concrete — my feet connected to the formed pavement I am connected to those earlier walks. Those evenings. That young girl, that journey.
. . . . . . .
My current quilt-in-progress features a large area of sidewalk, filled with cracks and broken places, in front of the abandoned row houses. It is an empty image. But it’s an important part of the memories I am building into the work. So this has been a week of remembering – a getting in touch with the memories – while working to create the component parts that will be the finished artwork
Images of twig-like lines will appear as background. A stenciled brick pattern will be in the foreground. Here they are side-by-side on my easel.
. . . . . . .
You are invited: TEXTILE TALK
I’m so excited about this upcoming opportunity to talk about my work, “Becoming One With the Night,” along with three other artists who are also exhibiting in the SAQA Global exhibit “Beyond the Mirror.” (Because SAQA is very professional and organized, we had a zoom practice session last week. That gave me a chance to meet and hear the other artists. So, I’ve had a peek. The talk will be fabulous.
It’s Free. It’s open to everyone. It’s about an hour. It will be LIVE on Wednesday, December 2 at 2pm, Eastern Time US. I hope you’ll plan to attend. (Good thing it’s on zoom. Attendance for the Talks has been 400-600 per session. You won’t have to fight for a good seat!)
Save this link – this is how you get in:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MRtTrviBTUy1333KJS4YsQ
Thank you for reading.
I always enjoy questions and comments.
--Bobbi
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