Our Daily Tapestry Practice

The announcement of the latest issue of the *American Tapestry Alliance’s (ATA) Tapestry Topics just came to my inbox this morning. I had intended to write about something completely different but instead I spent the morning reading every article.

The topic is Daily Practice: What’s Yours?

If you’re not familiar with Tapestry Topics, it’s a membership perk that I, for one, greatly appreciate. You do have to be a member to get the current publications - so I won’t be sharing any quotes here (other than my own) - but many of the back issues are available without membership.

Tommye Scanlin is the theme co-ordinator for this issue.

Other contributors include Janet Austin, David Heustess, Susan Iverson, Ayesha Barlas, MJ Lord, Molly Elkind, Cate Markey, Rebecca Mezoff, Kathy Spoering, Linda Watson, Holly Wilkes, Jean Vogel, and myself.

Several of the articles (Austin, Heustess, Lord, Markey) focus on a tapestry diary practice. This practice is also mentioned by Vogel and Elkind. Ayesha Barlas’ “100 day project” is of a similar vein.

Tapestry diaries totally intrigue me and last year I set out to try one- but I found I couldn’t follow through. I did learn a lot through the ritual, though.

It’s very interesting to read the variety of lessons learned, insights, discoveries, and documentations each artist learns through this practice.

If you’re not familiar with tapestry diaries, I believe they originated with Tommye Scanlin. Several articles have been written about them. Basically, it’s a commitment to weave every day. Some choose a theme, some a color scheme, each with their own set of “rules” to follow. Important memories are often woven in as one day over another signifies an important event or occasion.

I share the ritual of a morning walk with Holly Wilkes, who writes about her morning practice and shares daily photographs on her facebook account.

My quote:

“Regardless, my day starts with a morning walk on the prairie with my dogs. It is always a little “off” if this doesn’t happen (like when it’s storming or icy).”
“I take lots of photos on my morning walks - and these drawings often come from one of these photos. I make a little note on the date the photo was shot so I can come back to it if I need to. I’ve found it to be a wonderful resource to look back on when I’m getting ready to start something new.”

And I share the importance of keeping a journal and/ or sketching with Jean Vogel and Kathy Spoering.

My quote:

“Toward the end of last year, I added another ritual to my daily practice. To draw in my journal each morning. This has become a favorite part of my day, although it isn’t always done in the morning. It doesn’t need to last long; I’m a big fan of gesture drawing! “

Jean writes on the importance of deadlines and value of journals, and the overall importance of Art. Kathy reflects on the reliance on sketching - both through sketch books and sketch tapestries - to continue to create during difficult times.

Other articles include Molly Elkind’s on her evolving practices over the years along with her take on tapestry diaries. Rebecca Mezoff’s article revolves around the threat on the environment: her thoughtful response to the wildfires in her area through tapestry.

Susan Iverson taught at a university and speaks of the importance of having a studio in her own home, physically connected while maintaining a busy teaching schedule. And although the thread of listening and connecting runs though all the articles, Linda Watson writes more in depth on the subject.

Daily practices, whether more regimented like mine or quietly contemplated like Linda’s are deeply personal and valuable to us all. We learn to reflect, to appreciate, to discover in ways we might not otherwise whether from a morning walk, a tapestry diary practice, sketching, or simply a focused time to listen and reflect.

Do you have a daily practice?