Being Part of a Creative Community

I have been thinking back on the retreat I participated in, in early April, and find myself full of thankfulness that I am part of such a creative community. Some of us have known each other for fifteen or more years; others in the group are relative newcomers. But the thing we share, the thing that connects us, is our creativity. Some would call themselves artists, others would say they were quilters, but perhaps it's most true to say we're all ready to try just about anything that allows us to express ourselves in the work we do. There are informal teaching sessions that take place over the three days on which we meet, but another highlight of our time together is always "Show and Tell". I thought I'd share just a little from this spring with you. First is Dale MacEwan's collage of Market Square in Victoria. Constructed of her own photos, it captures the rich character of this part of town. Next is Hennie Aikman, with her bamboo piece. She tried out Anna Buzzalino's method of quilting fabric first (written up in a recent issue of Quilting Arts), then painting or silk-screening the surface.























Yvonne Turner's salmon is mounted on mosquito netting and a driftwood embellished wooden frame.
Carol Seeley spends a large part of each summer boating with her husband, and has become known for her hand appliqued landscape pieces. The last photo is of an African crazy quilt adaption that Trudy Thorne made for herself out of scraps left from her hours of cutting fabrics for Kitambaa Designs. This is just a small taste of the work being done by some of my creative friends in this part of the world. I am so admiring of each of them. You can see why I consider myself so fortunate. When we get together, the energy is almost palpable, the ideas flow, the possibilities are endless. I consider myself rich indeed to be part of such a community.

Tamagawa Textile Artists

Twice a year for the past several years, I have been fortunate enough to be part of a gathering of textile artists at Tamagawa University Campus near Nanaimo. For three wonderful days, we have been able to do our own work while being totally free of interruptions and responsibilities. We have had the opportunity to share learning and share our lives. There's always lots of laughter, and I always return home newly energized, and counting myself rich in having so many creative women in my life. This spring was our last time at this particular venue, but I am certain we will find a way to continue our retreats somewhere else. We always have a challenge of some sort, and this year the theme was "trees". The photos of the entries this spring give you a small glimpse into the diversity of talents and the skill of some of the members of this group. Some of the pieces fit a suggested 12" X 12" format, but there were just as many members that chose to work to a different size. The first piece, made by Diane Boyko, was voted #1 in the 12" X 12" size, while Paulette's Arbutus Bark (second to last on this post) was voted #1 in the alternate size group. Other
stunning entries were made by Gladys Love (2nd photograph), Dale MacEwan (3rd photograph), and Hennie Aikman (last photograph). Our theme for the next time we meet is "ocean". I'm going to try not to leave it until the very last minute to get my piece done this time, but don't have a very good track record in this regard! And that's putting it mildly. I may even go back to the trees theme of the last challenge - so many unfulfilled ideas still dancing around my head. We'll see . . .