Tactile/Textiles

 

This is one of the towels I cut off the loom and wet finished (and hemmed last night) and really like.

No, it's not 'perfect'.  There are longer 'loops' at the selvedge than I would prefer, but they will still dry dishes.  And at the rate I'm giving towels away right now (nothing is selling and the stock is threatening to topple over so giving some away helps) do I overly care they are not perfect?  

No.  Not much.  

Oh, I see the loops, and I allow myself to be pleased with the *interior* of the towel instead of its outside borders (selvedges).

Because, dear reader, these towels are rather nice.

I won't say more because I will be using a couple of these for examples for an article I'm writing.

One of the most difficult things to do is to photograph a textile in such a way as to convey the non-visual aspects of it - the tactile.  This photo doesn't quite do the textile justice on the tactile sensation of handling it, but I think it comes pretty close.

And that's the thing about weaving.  There are many different ways to enjoy doing it.  To learn more about it.  To explore beyond what you already know and grow your foundation of knowledge.  To appreciate it by more than the visual.  

The fact that the textile has a purpose, a job, a function?  That, too.  That it performs that function with a slice of grace is kind of the icing on the cake - so to speak.

Bottom line?  I don't much care if wouldn't be accepted into a juried show.  I just hope that what I make adds a little joy, a tiny bit of beauty (however one measures that) and also does the job it is meant to do.

Kind of like human beings.  We are all different, but we can still bring joy and beauty into this world.  To insert a tiny bit of grace into it.

I am not immune to the worries and cares of the world right now.  But I can care about more than one thing *at the same time*.

And for anyone objecting to my seeing the humanity in *every* human?  I can even care about them, too, even as they cast a veiled accusation of racism at me.  

"No (wo)man is an island" as Dunne famously wrote.  I can see the harm and suffering being inflicted, and weep for everyone who is being harmed.  My empathy is not restricted to just others who look like me.  

When I look back at history I can feel sickened by what humans have done *and continue to do* to each other.  

I choose to try to light a candle in the dark.

Be safe (as you can be).  Be well (as you can be).