On Being a Finisher (or On Not Always Enjoying the Journey)

One of the art quilts is near and dear to my heart, while the other one is turning out to be a much more political quilt than I had originally anticipated.

Mara GilesSeptember 23, 2020art quilt, finishing, art journey, artsewdifferentComment

On Listening to the Who not the What

Let’s learn to listen and let the quiet, subtle gems be our reward.

Mara GilesSeptember 13, 2020what's new, creating art, creativity, art quilt, artsewdifferent, not doing, wu wei

On This Being the Time to Keep Creating

"Don't take your ability to create for granted."

Mara GilesSeptember 11, 2020creativity, creating art, art heals, artsewdifferent, compassion

On Erratic Creative Energies

This year has been unusual, to say the least.

Mara GilesAugust 31, 2020creating art, creativity, creative energy, art quilt, artsewdifferent

On Art Becoming Itself

This piece I’m working on has a strong voice, as most of my art quilts do.

Mara GilesAugust 22, 2020artsewdifferent, art quilt, voice of art, creativity, creating art, becomingComment

On Working for Money, not Simply Passion

I spent years selling my intellectual labor and abilities to colleges and universities so that I could thrive; now I enjoy selling my artistic and creative labor and abilities instead.

Mara GilesAugust 11, 2020motivation, creating art, art quilt, artsewdifferent, passion

On Being Exuberant

When I'm on my deathbed, I'm not going to be laying there thinking, "Gosh, I really should have been more acerbic in my life."

Mara GilesJuly 2, 2020exuberance, joy, creating art, creativity, art quilt, art, artist, artsewdifferent

On Choosing the Correct Possibility

Every second holds infinite potential!

Mara GilesJune 26, 2020potential, possibility, choices, art, artist, creating art, creative energy, creativity, artsewdifferent

On Being Respectful

When I was teaching, each semester on the first day when I introduced the syllabus I told my students I had one classroom rule: Be Respectful.

Mara GilesJune 15, 2020respect, compassion, art, art quilt, creating art, artsewdifferent

On Silence

Silence has much to say.

Mara GilesJune 11, 2020Silence, listening, artist, art journey, artsewdifferent

On Quilting Being Dismissed as an Art Form

I think it is that quilting has traditionally been in the women's domain that gives some people the idea it is of little value.

Mara GilesJune 3, 2020respect, art quilt, art, creativity, creating art, artist, artsewdifferent

On Our Current Societal Crisis

To set right the past, we must create a different future.

Mara GilesJune 1, 2020thoughtfulness, compassion, choices, respect, art heals

On Valuing What I Have

Today I am counting my blessings. I take stock of all that I have in my life, not what I’m missing.

Mara GilesMay 18, 2020counting blessings, thankfulness, thoughtfulness, looking back, art

On My Current Art Quilt

A lot of times when I am creating an art quilt I know what it will look like when it is completed.

Mara GilesMay 15, 2020art quilt, abstract art, creativity, creating art, art journey, art

On Overcoming

Sometimes the things we have to overcome to make our art are not the things we expected to have to overcome.

Mara GilesMay 12, 2020overcoming, creating art, creativity, comfort zone, becoming, art quilt, art journey, artsewdifferent

On Traveling Far

Today I feel like I (and my art!) have come very far in the last 3 years.

On Not Withering Away

“I must lose myself in action, lest I wither in despair.” - Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Mara GilesApril 23, 2020imagination, art journey, creative energy, creating art, counting blessings, art quilt

On Knowing Myself

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. - Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching