Insomnia series continues

Insomnia 2, Paula Kovarik, 2013

I have made progress on the second insomnia piece. Originally I wanted to show the difference between a sound sleeper and one who has more difficulty filtering out the brain games. But, when I started talking to other people about how their sleep patterns resolve themselves I found that most do not have an easy time falling to a gentle sleep. Hence, a little bit of chaos for each of us. These insomnia pieces are done on some recycled cotton pillow shams given to me by my friend Missy.

Insomnia detail, Paula Kovarik, 2013

Here comes the sun

Kindergarten, ©2013, Paula Kovarik

After a week of cold and gray the burst of sunshine through my studio window was welcome relief. This little guy looked like he was jumping for joy on my design wall. Though I am still wearing an insulated vest and scarf in the studio, the light is SO much better.

family time

I am lucky to have two grandsons who are incredible artists. Each has his own style and both are serious practitioners. I have collected a number of their drawings and am working on a piece called Kindergarten using their art. Following their line work with my sewing reveals a spontaneity and vigor that is inspiring and fun. 

The piece below shows a progressive shot showing a finished face and others that are still in the rough stitching phase. Since these two boys tend to draw in short sectional lines there is a lot of stopping and starting (and therefore a lot of clean up to do after stitching). 

Kindergarten, ©2013 Paula KovarikHere is a close up of a girl with headphones. The yellow color comes from layering a bright yellow fabric below the linen I am using on the top.

Headphone Girl, ©2013, Asher Kovarik

Insomnia brings inspiration

I think this one is done. It is a recycled pillow sham my friend Missy gave me. Inspired by my rampant cogitations prior to falling asleep (and after I wake at 4 am waiting for the next episode) it may or may not reveal some inner demons and flights of fancy, brain overload, nerves at the surface of consciousness, itchy wanderings through unknown territories, the ticking of clocks and swinging of pendulums. Maybe my mind has noticed that time is short and I can't waste a minute. 

Insomnia.

Insomnia, ©2013, Paula Kovarik

Quilt National Artists site publishes my article

Round and Round It Goes by Paula Kovarik

Recently I wrote an artist statement about my quilt, Round and Round It Goes, for the Quilt National Artists website. The piece is traveling with the Quilt National 2013 show (moving to Columbus, Ohio in January).

OK, so I may have a slight advantage, I am actually an administrator of the QNA site...and we needed an article for last Friday. It was a challenge to put into words what a year's worth of thoughts created.

Click here for the result.