Amazingly, our "Translate" challenge really helped me to focus on an issue that's more important to me than I ever realized... That issue being ecology and preservation ! I looked up "translate" in the dictionary, found several interesting definitions, and yet what spoke to me in such a timely manner was what was going on right in my own back yard. Well, actually across the street from our front yard. Here you see what represents the "before" scenery:
To my husband and me, this land is almost sacred - pastoral, bucolic, peaceful, tranquil; home to deer, birds, squirrels, and occasionally, an errant calf from our neighbor's herd. We've never experienced land like this, and even as I write this, serenity washes over me bringing a sense of tranquility.
Much to our dismay, part of that land was sold; Five duplexes (10 houses !) were built in that space. Here's a picture of what that section of land looks like now:
They literally "Paved Paradise and Put Up a Parking Lot !"
So, what have we done about it .... I'm now a member of the City Planning and Zoning Board here in Gatesville, and I attend every City Council meeting ! Its amazing what happens in all those meetings !
And perhaps the biggest and most important event is that my husband, Greg, and I have been able to purchase the remaining land as seen in that first picture ! No more duplexes and no more concrete parking lots ! The deer, cows, squirrels, birds and rabbits, et al roam freely while we tend to the land, preserve the gorgeous trees, and at the same time provide "breathing space" for all who travel near this area. It's truly the last "Green" space on our street, and we're thrilled to have become stewards of this beautiful land.
So.... that's my story ! Here are the photos of my quilt and the verbiage from the song I used as my inspiration:
The song, of course, from the 1970s made famous by Joni Mitchell. (If you're interested, let me know and I'll send you the rest of the lyrics :-D) To make the quilt, I printed my pictures onto Jacquard Ink Jet Silk (I've described this process in previous MM blogs). I Googled the lyrics to "Pave Paradise..." and printed some of those lyrics onto hand-dyed cotton, using "Transfer Artist Paper (TAP) developed by Lesley Riley. The border fabric surrounding the lyrics has verbiage on it that speak to me: Don't Trash the Earth; Save Our Planet; Think Green; Eco-Friendly; and especially for this quilt... "Tree Hugger !" Thanks for this great opportunity to "Translate" some of my core-values to cloth and fabrics through Art !
I think you did a beautiful translation. I'm with you on the paving part - it is so nice to see open land, and so hard to keep it that way.
ReplyDeleteSong, to photo's, to quilt. Great way to portray translate. In a town, city or rural area the only way to prevent someone buying land around you and building on it is to buy it yourself and protect it's beauty.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Kathy. We have the same desire in our hearts to keep the natural beauty of Texas. In the rural housing development in which we live, we too have purchased extra land. Our kids tell us we bought up the edges. As our reward we have native animals visit often. At this time we have a flock of about 25 wild turkeys that visit every day. What a treat! Oh, by the way, love your quilt!!
ReplyDeleteKudos to you and Greg, Kathy, for buying up the land to preserve it for its natural beauty and for the wild flora and fauna. And the way you "translated" this ecological issue into a quilt is nothing short of brilliant. Love it, love the song lyrics. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI love that you were able to save some of the land. Your piece is wonderful. We are fortunate to live in a town that values land. We had 100 acres preserved near us that would have been 50 houses.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you translated your values to action - and a wonderful quilt
ReplyDeleteVery personal interpretation and obviously very meaningful to you. Bravo on the quilt and your preservation efforts.
ReplyDeleteMy sincere congratulations to you and your husband for "making a difference" in your town. I love how you have been able to "translate" what you have accomplished so expressively in your quilt. I think it makes a very strong visual statement whether the viewer knows the story behind it or not.
ReplyDeleteSo inspiring! And so great you were able to make a differance as well. The quilt is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLove this interpretation of translate! And hurray for less paved land and more preservation of beauty!
ReplyDeleteYou literally invested yourself in this project on many levels. I feel your passion and see it on both sides of your art quilt. Fabric choices, front and back, truly had to the statement. Nicely done Kathy. It was wonderful to hear the back story first hand on the phone today. My apology for messing up. Happy Belated Birthday to you... the 24th not the 25th! Me bad.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing quilt! I love what you are doing in terms of saving the environment and documenting it in your quilt.
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