life’s tiny stitches
Please note: a picture has been removed at the request of Jane Callender
back from Vancouver
and another workshop at Maiwa
(sorry for the picture quality but the page colour is blue)
Shibori: Variation and Echo
taught by Jane Callender from the U.K.
a fabulous 3 day learning experience that easily could have been 5 days
and I still would not have had time to sample everything
Jane requested that we not take pictures
and/or publish any
on the final critique we did take pictures of each other’s work
but I will (almost) honor the request not to share them
just a peek at my samples after giving them a good wash at home
it doesn’t show the detail on the best ones!
I hope to have time to make a complete set of samples which I can show
and then there was….
THREADS: The Art and Life of Surayia Rahman, directed by Cathy Stevulak
she taught and employed destitute women to stitch complex kantha tapestries
an inspiring, poignant story beautifully filmed
exquisite examples of the work was on display
and we were welcome to photograph
the entire surface is covered with tiny stitches
some of the pieces took a year to finish
it was an exhausting 3 1/2 days and I haven’t unpacked yet
more later
the world is full of patterns – you just have to look
www.onesmallstitch.Wordpress.com u 
I never did get the idea of knowledgeable people not wanting to teach and share what they know–I’m glad most folks are like you, Jean! Those kantha tapestries are amazing!
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Kerry – it is so difficult with an art/craft technique when there are people out there who will copy ones work – but I don’t understand how someone chooses to teach (for money) then doesn’t want to share everything they know. After all, we put so much of ourselves into each piece we make that it is not possible to copy the essence of another persons work. In this case I think there is a book coming out and the intention is that students will buy it. Possibly counterproductive in the end.
The kantha were breathtaking as is the desire to help create meaningful lives for dozens of destitute women and their families.
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agreed on the above. it’s indicative of a culture of thievery and fear that many have to deal with. funny how that directive took over and it’s all we’ve been responding to-if it’s a secret, well, i keep it to myself. all the rest is up for feeding the lake. however, the stash of stuff you’re showing is delicious!
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Velma – I know you give fully of yourself and your knowledge and I made a decision years ago that I couldn’t take it with me when I depart this planet so I would rather make sure there were others to carry on. Knowledge is universal and when shared only grows and expands. I do love my stuff!
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I did a workshop with that tutor at FoQ and was very annoyed, I actually put a complaint in but I don’t think it made any difference. It seems unfair for a tutor to want to teach but not to share. She refused to show us one particular technique, saying it was a secret!!
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Lis – you know how I love to take pictures! everyone I talked to in the class was annoyed. At the end of the class, when individuals were sharing their work sensei asked if she could take pictures – so we all felt free to take pictures of student work. As you know, I teach and share everything I know and do. The workshop was not cheap and I felt somewhat cheated. Apparently she has another book in the works so we can buy that and get the “how to’s”!
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I’m always perplexed by the “don’t show” request. It’s almost impossible to copy such exercises and isn’t it a joy to share?
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Davida – indeed it is very frustrating. there was so much information and not enough time – no way anyone can just remember it all.
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