Sorbet is complete

Last year I added textiles to my art practice. I started by printing cyanotypes on fabric I had in the studio. From there I moved on to learning about natural dyes and shibori folding methods. Then I started slow stitching as a form of meditation. Throughout this journey I have used as much recycled and personal vintage textiles as possible. The two threads of mindful, slow hand sewing and repurposing textiles is both soul and environmentally friendly.

And so, naturally I came to make my first quilt, “Sorbet”. I have made a few other textile art pieces for the wall that look quilted, but technically a quilt must be a “sandwich” - top, back and middle. My other pieces don’t contain batting so technically are not quilts.

“Sorbet” is made entirely from 100% cotton fabric I have had for many years. Most I dyed with natural dyes such as logwood, osage and madder. The black linen fabric is from some old pants. The quilt was machine pieced and hand quilted. Dimensions are 30” x 29”.

Sewing and quilting are new to me. I am self taught in this arena. I’m happy with how this first quilt turned out and looking forward to building my skills.

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May 2020 Desktop Wallpaper

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Douro River - Oporto, Portugal. © Pamela Viola

Use it up!

Generally I lean toward minimalism, but not when it comes to art supplies. I have a walk-in closet overflowing with STUFF accumulated over many years. I hang on to bits and bobs because they may be useful in an art project down the line. Having this unused stuff does not make my minimalist self feel good. Over time I’ve donated supplies to various organizations in need and that feels good, but then an idea arises and I wish I had some of the things I’ve given away.

This year one of my goals is to buy as little for art making as possible. I want to reduce my supply stash by using it up. There will be experimentation, outside my lane thinking, and perhaps some pretty odd work that gets made this year. Don’t be alarmed and don’t feel you need to “like” something so my feelings won’t be hurt. Maybe a new and wonderful direction will appear or maybe not, but either way I believe I’ll feel better for using it up!

Hapazome, botanical print, amaryllis.

Hapazome, botanical print, amaryllis.

Pamela Viola
November Desktop Wallpaper

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Colorful maple leaves in November.

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Labyrinth
Labyrinth at Brookside Gardens.

Labyrinth at Brookside Gardens.

I am an introvert. I am friends with solitude. In a loud world I am quiet. In a hyperactive world I can be still.

Pamela Viola
October 2019 Desktop Wallpaper

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Calendar
Tides Are Turning Slowly

I spent Saturday at a conference hosted by DC Sustainability Fashion Collective. While Washington DC is far from a fashion center, it is heartening to attend a gathering of so many individuals eager to educate consumers on the human and environmental impacts of the garments in our closets. Author of The Conscious Closet, Elizabeth Cline, was the keynote speaker and panel discussions were comprised of a wide swath of diverse professionals from biologists to clothing swap organizers.

This morning the New York Times reported on the bankruptcy filing of the fast fashion brand Forever 21. The article reports, “Forever 21’s struggles have provoked questions around the appeal of fast fashion more broadly. The industry has faced backlash surrounding the environmental impact of quickly disposable clothes and concerns about worker safety in the wake of the Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh in 2013 that killed more than 1,100 garment workers.”, and goes on to say, “Younger shoppers have increasingly turned to consigned goods and brands that claim sustainability as a value, said Wendy Liebmann, chief executive of the consultancy WSL Strategic Retail.” Find the article here.

With increased education hopefully the tide will move against fast fashion.

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