My mornings usually involve a lot of computer time. Computer time in the form of research primarily. Some times (many times) it leads me to unexpected places.

Over the past few days I’ve been coming back to one website: Michael Crompton’s.

Michael and I have corresponded several times over the past year and a few days ago he sent me images of his most recent weavings and an accompanying article. 

A response to 2020.

It touched me deeply.

He has very graciously allowed me to share part of it with you here.

I'm sure he will be getting it up on his website soon, but for now, I’ll share some quotes from the article and his new work here. If you’re at all familiar with Michael Crompton, you’ll recognize some key themes. 

“The year 2020 and the pandemic of the Covid-19 virus has resulted in great and fundamental change to everyone on planet Earth…As the months proceed and we observe the changing seasons time has become a barometer…Past time and a way of life has long gone for now we must all adapt and change to a new reality. Change itself creates difficulties and tensions for it is not easy to accomplish. ..

To achieve this state of mind we need energy and vigour to construct our futures. For the past creates the present the future requires both dynamism and vitality.

…I began during those early days when the pandemic dominated every passing hour. My thinking leading me to seek the positive, to look forward and to find hope and optimism. Despair and despondency have no part to play. I seek only to aid the recreation of  the “new normal”, with anticipation and confidence, ambition and a desire to succeed. Much of the imagery, forms and shapes hark back to previous work and the associated exploration of colour and textures. Following a period of research and reflection ideas began to be identified, drawings and water colour paintings followed. The results of this research and reflection can be viewed in this pair of woven tapestries…”

The Dancers

“Starting with the Sun and the Moon symbol combination, their graceful gyrations creates a metaphor for “dance partners” to emerge. Combined yet separate, as one, but two entities. They have come together to revel in a positive joyous celebration, a gambol in the heavens. The Sun at the central core creating a solid foundation, while the Moon and its forever changing shape and position is taking the lead…. Each are wearing the gaudy, the bright and colourful palettes relating to their individual character. Resplendent in showing off the many shades and facets of their individual existence…Combined they rotate and revolve, pirouette and cavort, the Moon grateful for fulfilling her nightly wanderings and the Sun for initiating a new day…  The past has gone, they are now in the present and looking towards the future.“

The Rooster

 “At the first light of day, if not before, the cry of nature, the “Rooster’s” solo awakes the slumbering landscape, ear disturbing and piercing yet welcoming. Another day is arriving and another future…

Aspiration and ambition combine, personal goals and aims become attainable, hopes, dreams and optimistic thoughts now inhabit our minds.

Hark to the sounds of the “Rooster”, light is arriving after the darkness of night.

We must dance, move to the rhythms of our true self.

A fresh beginning, new and energising.

We must live life.”

I’m particularly drawn to The Rooster and the hopes and dreams of things to come. I especially enjoy the energy it emits. There’s a calming quality in the colors coupled with an uplifting surge in the twisting turns of his body.

Michael often quotes French author Jean Giono in his writings, and does so again in this article.

I believe this quote is integral to his entire creative practice:

“Days begin and end in the dead of night. They are not shaped long, in the manner of things which leads to ends – arrow, road, man’s life on earth. They are shaped round, in the manner of things     eternal and stable – Sun, Moon Earth and God”    

“Civilisation tries to persuade us we are moving towards a distant goal. We have forgotten that our only goal is to live and to live each and every day and if we live each and every day, our goal is achieved. All civilized people see the day beginning at dawn or a little after or a long time after or whatever time their work begins. This they lengthen  according to their work, during what they call “all day long”; and end it when they close their eyes.”

“It is they who say the days are long, 

on the contrary, 

the days are round.”

Jean Giono – “Rondeur des Jours” 1943

As I write this, I’m reminded of the importance of time. Time forces us to slow down, to think. Time for healing, renewing, resurgence. The circle of life. Just as we can not speed up our tapestry practice - we cannot speed up time- fast, present, future. We live in the power of now.