Inspiration from a Superb Annual Quilt Workshop

As I've posted on my Reap As You Sew Retreats Facebook page:  

Today marked the halfway point in our ninth annual quilt gathering featuring the amazing teaching of Hollis Chatelain. I couldn't wait for this week of creativity, challenge, personal insights, and laughs! And it has provided all of that already!

Our inspirational quote for Day 1, from Art & Fear (by David Bayles & Ted Orland, © 1993), was: "In large measure becoming an artist consists of learning to accept yourself, which makes your work personal, and in following your own voice, which makes your work distinctive." By the end of this week, each participant should have a pretty good idea of her personal style of quilting (or photography, as one of our members has branched out from quilting into art photography). Very satisfying!

On Day #2 of our workshop, we did exercises to help us with shifting views, seeing things differently. We realized that our images often include what we've seen plus memories of what we liked emotionally -- the latter often overshadowing the observable. What do you think? Is that emotional element a plus or a minus? I have my opinions but I'll leave it for you to contemplate, too.

Today, one of our participants shared a favorite inspirational quote with us: "The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work." [Emile Zola, French novelist, 1840-1902.] A good reason every day to go work on our quilting or other art!