V's Version

I am learning how to paint with cloth - but using no paint. I am learning a LOT about color and really SEEING what is there instead of what I think is there. The brain is a complicated and stubborn thing. And in related news - I keep getting the feeling that I do not fit in. Where is the queer craft mafia? Where is one single lesbian? Where is anyone with a tattoo or a piercing or a wicked sense of humor? I knew I would be among the youngest attendees - but I am starving for some ? laughter - raunch - style - lively discourse. The best thing I can say is that the people are very very nice and I am sure that if I had a chance to get to know them - I would find some of these edgier qualities but so far we are either working or sharing a crowded table as we eat or sitting facing forward to listen to the speakers who show their work. There is not much time to get to know anyone. The women in my class are talented and kind and funny in the few moments that we get to connect.

I feel like I am a room of people listening to classical and easy listening while I am rocking out to "I wanna be your Dog" and "Drive" and "Prey for Rock n Roll". Somebody at breakfast asked if I was in the class with "the tattoo lady". I told her that I was.

There have been a handful of quilters who have impressed me. I wanted inspiration and I wanted to learn. There are plenty of quilts to be impressed by and although the learning is not happening in a huge way - it is definitely happening. I feel like the dumb student who just doesn't get it. Thank heavens my slowness isn't keeping anybody else back.

Patience. Open mind. Humility.

Luckily, my teacher Melinda Bula is VERY talented as a quilter. I'm not sure about her teaching style yet. We are her second class. I have so much to learn about art and color theory. I wish I could get it.