LEAP OF FAITH

2004
47" x 33"
NOT FOR SALE

Leap of Faith

fiber reactive dyes and textile paints, cotton, linen, silk, tulle, metallic confetti, metallic ricrac, metallic and rayon threads silkscreen and block printing, various hand applications collage construction machine stitching and quilting

As often happens with my work, this piece started as a process with one intent, and progressed into an entirely different meaning. At first, I thought I would simply play with painted and printed pieces of fabrics featuring figures, mostly in an attempt to "use up" some of them. It was to be a demonstration piece, so visitors to my studio could gain a sense of my working process. Well, the more I worked on it, the more I became involved with the movements and attitudes of the figures. They interacted with each other, too. Conversations and relationships developed! Towards the end of composing the piece, I knew there needed to be a large central figure to set the over-all tone. Much to my surprise, it became a running, dancing, joyous figure.

I had experienced a very stressful and sad year. My brother, Peter, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in October, 2002. He underwent surgery, began the process of recovery, but the cancer returned. He passed away just a year and a couple of weeks after the primary diagnosis. It was a horrible year. I started this piece about two months after Peter died, not giving it much thought. I see, though, that it became a message to me of faith and hope. It showed me that I could regain my fundamental optimism and cheerfulness. I've learned that I must live to the fullest each day. Yes, the sadness and emptiness has become a part of me, but there is also much room for the positive aspects in life. I will do my best to focus on those positive things, while acknowledging the sad. I see that this quilt became my "getting back to my life" work. It is a leap of faith