Megg Hewlett Says...

I love some of the words and thoughts that come out of Megg's mouth.

One of the things we were talking about was our different approaches. She commented that weaving is, within the fiber art/craft, akin to accounting in that if there is 1 cent left, I kind of worry, but 3 cents left, and I'm back to the drawing board; with her felted knit bags, she tells me she has a little more leeway in her process. I'd like to think that after 7 years, I have about, oh, 7 cents in my cash box for a rainy day, but she's right, and part of why I am a weaver is the restrictions the craft/structure poses. I can't do much that is, to me, "free form"; I can't play with clay, I can't knit, I can't paint; but within the confines of the loom, or a camera, I can "make" things.

There is much to think about here because my color selections have been based on color theories and yarn availablity in the past few years; for Megg, everything to do with colors is instinctive. I need to be open to my personal taste and make decisions based on gut feelings. Megg 1: Meg 0.

And speaking of theory/instincts, we've both tried different things in developing our creativity. I think I've written about slowing down, and letting ideas gestate, or waiting to receive inspirations. Megg, on the other hand, has a more proactive approach, where she's become a "developing ditzy". That'll make a great Exhibit title! Megg 2: Meg 0.

On the discussion of the art/craft continuum, Megg says, "Don't assume I didn't think about this," which beautifully summarizes one of the important steps all of us who "make things you can use" take. Of course we would like to put top priority on aesthetics, but if you can't use it, what we make is of no use to you, nor us. So sometimes we sacrifice the makers' aesthetic urges in preference to utility, practicality, and even longevity. Very well put. Megg 3: Meg 0.

Today has been a very tiresome day. The house next door is going on the market, and there have been some work going on in preparation. Today a huge air compressor (?) is sitting outside my studio making the loudest grunting noise all day since 8:30AM. I can't hear myself think, even though Bocelli has been serenading me at the top of his lungs all day to muffle the noise outside. I wanted a 92-end warp for a series of small cashmere scarves, and I need a few, so I'm making it a stripe in light and mid-grays, and I'm using my warping mill which gives me approximately 20 meters. I was wondering why it was taking so long, and why the wool was disappearing so fast. It took me a while to realize at some point I convinced myself I needed 180 ends. So tonight, we have to wind the warp, 92 ends going on the back beam, and the rest going into a separate warp chain. And I've simplified my problem so you'd get the gist of it.

Happy creating.