In Bikram yoga (umm…haven’t been in years…but still assimilating the wisdom- does that count?) So…in Bikram as you are attempting to do your first backward bend of the day, the instructor is saying, rather loudly, “Go back, fall back, way back, more back, way back… more back…” And that is what I am hearing in my head as I attempt this first quilt. “Don’t think, just go.” I have to surrender to the process and know I might fail but just go for it. If I think too much I will be veering towards what we call in this house masterpiece syndrome. That is when you think everything you do has to be good enough to go in the Guggenheim. Masterpiece syndrome is the enemy or art…the enemy of creation because it makes one judgmental, critical and distanced from the pure expressiveness and joy of the creative act. It puts too much pressure on making stuff.
So, here goes…yipppeee…my first quilt! And ya’ll know I am making it up as I go along because I just need the freedom. Also, it ain’t a party until something gets broke…and by that I mean that I generally learn by doing and, of course, by making mistakes. In fact, sometimes I feel that I must actually eff something up in order to learn. Even if this whole quilt is a just a big mess and full of problems that will be OK* . I had this glass-blowing teacher, Will, he said glass-blowing is like fishing…it’s all about the journey- the process- not the final object. I always remember that.
* sidenote: I really, really want this quilt to look good and cute and fun and if I have to throw this fish back I will be sad……what? I’m only human! I mean it doesn’t need to go in the Guggenheim…just be cuddly and warm for my little boy and super-cute…… what?