Something Sew new......

I am finding my art life gaining dimension. I am learning new skills and having a lot of fun going to a deeper place with my creativity. I am pretty certain that the next time you see me you'll be pulling thread off of my clothes. Last month I went to a fabric store to get a gift for a friend of mine. It was a pretty stimulating place and I found myself roaming the isles looking around and feeling a little overwhelmed. I walked down the craft book isle and something caught my eye. I saw a book titled "Introduction to Making Cloth Dolls." On the cover of the book was an image of a beautiful earth like character that captivated me. I grabbed the book and looked through it with all of my focus, then I put it back on the shelf. I picked up and looked through it again, and another time. After 30 minutes I convinced myself that I could get this book for myself as a birthday present, and I did. I felt something calling me to this style of work. In cloth doll making I see an opportunity to bring the characters in my paintings and drawings into 3 dimensions.I can't tell you how long I've been collecting ribbon, buttons, fabric, and thread. I love this stuff. I am excited to find a medium that involves these things and includes my love of illustration and creating the human form. What do I love about this doll who I named Ingrid? When I look into her face and see all the details that have created her out of nothing, into something to love. I see her heart. I see that life is a difficult journey for many of us. We have challenges and we have beauty. I also see my childhood. I remember the comfort I took in the friends I had who I animated with my own imagination and energy. I have a lot of gratitude for this. I am also grateful to learn something totally new. In Zen we call this beginners mind. Had you seen my timid approach to my sewing machine you'd have seen me feeling vulnerable and frustrated. In fact I sewed every stitch of this doll by hand as I taught myself how to use my sewing machine. I am near to finishing my second doll. I am using my machine a lot more and bringing more elements of my style into her. I am excited to share her soon.