Autumn & Kimonos

There is a delicious chill in the air. A sure sign that Autumn is on its way. Somehow Summer passed us by and with a good deal of rain. At times I thought we might actually be washed down river, the currents ran so strongly.  Also the weather slowed down my furniture restoration program as I had to sand outside...too much dust to do it inside and dusting remains one of my least favourite activities. I can report however that my garden shed is almost set up and ready for some serious work, which is just as well as I've just started an art (contemporary) quilts class with Carolyn Sullivan at the NSW Embroiders' Guild. It runs for 8 sessions over the year AND we have homework....groan!  More to follow on that topic as my head is spinning with ideas but unfortunately nothing much is being committed in the way of fabric & thread.  Always excuses

Sophie Milenovich (Find on Amazon)

I am busy reading an interesting book however, called "Kimonos" by Sophie Milenovich. (As you do when you are a. not working on a Japanese patchwork theme and b. avoiding homework!). I particularly liked her summary because for me it led to an ah ha! moment. It speaks to me on various levels about travel, textiles and finding your own place in the creative process. Sophie's words, in part, are:

"My goal at the start was not so much to acquire encyclopaedic knowledge of the place as to be nourished by it. I looked with my own eyes. To go after objectivity would have been futile, so I sought above all to be touched by the experience. Japan gave me deep nourishment. It also upset and unbalanced me from time to time. But such difficulties have their own importance in any creative work." 

This is the way I like to travel. To be a quiet observer and be nourished by experiencing different world views. I relish being part of it, letting it all wash over me, breathing it in. But as an impassioned and empathetic observer not as an agent of change.  Something to think about for my next travelogue..perhaps to Nepal, where it is said that "every breath's a prayer".