Work in Progress: Girlfriend Material

Oh, it’s an art post. I spend a large amount of my time dealing with other people’s art. And I love it, the way a kindergarten teacher no doubt loves each and every special flower in her care; everybody’s most precious efforts are handed over to me, to help usher them into the world. I appreciate it. But this kindergarten teacher has her own kids at home, did you know? I love them best. I haven’t been spending enough time with them lately and it’s draining me of the patience I need to not yell at your kid when he won’t stop eating paste. So the appalling weather yesterday was a great opportunity, actually, for me to take some time to work on my own stuff. I sat in the basement for about 8 hours and hand-sewed this piece for my upcoming solo show, which will open at Public Pool in November. It’s called Girlfriend Material. I’m very excited about it already.

Here’s a section of a Double Wedding Ring quilt that will be the title track, as it were. I am a self-taught quilter, and I really have no idea what I’m doing, which is what makes it a good metaphor for being a girlfriend, as well.

“Girlfriend Material” (work-in-progress/2016), pop culture, Liberty fabric, Guatemalan ikat, Indian synthetics, wedding dress, corset wire, thread

In my life, art is a way of working things out, and if there’s one thing I honestly never have and continue to not have a handle on, it’s how to be an authentic person and also a good girlfriend. It just seems like an awful lot being asked of women. Sometimes I despair (often, actually). That lace overlay in quilt is not just from a wedding dress, it’s from my wedding dress. Things didn’t work out. I lack the day-to-day consistency, perhaps. Or the ability to put up with the antics of people who were never taught to stop. eating. paste. idiot.

“Perfect Girlfriend: Annual Commitments” (work-in-progress/2016), Minnie Mouse fabric, craft glue, 2016 wall calendar

Someone who I secretly look up to a great deal gave me a huge boost the other day. He let me know he’s keeping an eye on my efforts, and I don’t think I would have known that otherwise. “Don’t stop for an instant,” he said.

Thank you. Thank you. I’m trying.

Girlfriend Material will be at Public Pool in November. More details TK.