I don’t know about you, but I’ve found it really difficult to be inspired. I don’t know if it’s COVID, or just the time in my life, but it’s been hard for me to find fun in my art or even know where to start to get my muse back.
Then I saw where Paula Kovarik was giving a talk to one of the SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) groups. As a member of SAQA I could attend this talk, but I had never heard or seen her work. To find out who she was, I checked out her blog. In addition to her posts, she also had a link to her interview with Ariane Zurcher. Being a former graphic designer, I instantly loved her and her work. Then I bought her book, At Play in the Garden of Stitch!
What a treat, and such inspiration! I’ve been obsessed from the get-go to have perfect stitches with my free motion. Paula pretty much says to quit worrying about that and just stitch. She uses mainly black thread on white fabric, or white thread on black fabric. I’ve always had trouble with getting good stitches with black. I did a test using different types of thread in this post.
Here is just one of the samples of her art in this book. As I look at her work, her stitches look like lines, and that’s okay. In fact, I love the look!
In addition to showing her own work which I found so interesting and inspiring, she also gives the readers exercises. Here is one of them.
So I set out to work on some of the exercises.
Well, not quite up to hers, but it’s a start. I need more practice, and I need to loosen my tension a bit, but that was fun and I see lots of possibilities.
If you love free motion, or are interested in seeing more free motion that is really freeing, check out her book. It is full of inspiration, and as I mentioned exercises. It’s been a while since I’ve been so excited and inspired. Oh, by the way, her talk was excellent.
For some additional inspiration, check out the Off the Wall Friday Linky Party.
Have a great weekend! Would love to hear what has inspired you lately.
Ooh, I love it! And I love what you’ve done so far… will definitely check out her blog, and give thought to her book too!
Thank you so much for this wonderful post Lynda. I am so happy that you are being inspired by the exercises.
Judy, Thanks. I love that she really gives permission to just do it.
I’m glad you found some inspiration finally! I wasn’t familiar with her work, but I really like it.
I found this fabulous artist while foraging the Internet (per my usual). Just fabulous and VERY inspirational. Continued fun and creating with your new book, Lynda! ***smiles***
Hi Ann, Paula is so inspiring. Thanks for stopping by.