Casting off
These words have a few different meanings.
Stone cozies in a huddle. Maine beach stones with crocheted linen dyed with madder.
One of them is textile related – as in “to finish a knitted fabric by casting off all the stitches.”
Another definition is a mariner’s term for unfastening or untying a boat line.
And lastly a dancing term: “to turn one’s partner in a square in a square dance and pass around the outside of the set and back.”
This week I cast off from the mainland, heading to Monhegan for three weeks.
I will be binding off one season’s end and casting on new threads for the fall.
I will loosen my ties to one chapter and turn round to face a new one.
Solo exhibition - Maine State Capitol, Augusta Maine.
Closing out this season I highlight the following:
· Solo exhibition at the Maine State Capitol, Augusta, Maine. I have 13 pieces up in a one person show that runs until December 31, 2022.
Biddeford Blooms - the mill building.
· “Biddeford Blooms” a yearlong community art project was completed and unveiled at the Fringe Fest on August 19th. This quartet of tapestries that illustrate the life and history of Biddeford, will be on display throughout the community for a few months – and eventually will be permanently installed in either the city library or the mill buildings.
Sunset from Indiantown Island
· The language of color - I look back at my year long journey into learning new dye techniques and marvel at the depth of my new palette. I am keenly aware that my work hasn’t taken full advantage this new vocabulary. I have been dabbling here and there –making stone cozies that honor the small and unpretentious. I’m not sure what lies ahead, except that there will be a horizon line awaiting. Because, you know, every sailor who casts off, has to set sights on something.