.winter sunset.

 

I struggle to appreciate the winter months, but each winter seems to bring more appreciation for another season of learning. This winter I was struck by the magnificent sunrises and sunsets. A vibrant display of color for the short, dark, and cold days of winter.

I've held onto this batik for some time, maybe I bought it in North Carolina. I can't remember, but one evening in December watching the dark and cold day slowly illuminate into cotton candy sky of bright pinks and soft blues, just for a moment. It seemed like a tiny gift for these hard moments. I came home and knew how to use the batik fabric. Slowly working on a patchwork. I started with a square and then another until I decided I needed nine patches. I worked on it for a few weeks, not knowing what direction it would take, just letting it slowly unravel. Then when it felt done, I stitched it onto a drop cloth, no batting and no binding. This is something new for me but it felt right to leave it open, expanding.

It's a interesting piece that from a distance you can see the ombre effect with more batik squares at the bottom of the piece and less at the top, alluding to the fading color of the sky. Yet, if you come closer what you noticed is the stitching, the mix of bright pink and ecru pearl cotton with varying stitch styles. It gives the viewer different perspectives, something to think about, just like winter. The season for the soul, as a friend once told me during a cold, hard winter in Boston. A time of reflection. These piece feels like a transition in a new direction and I'm excited to see what comes next.