I got back for the International Quilt Festival in Houston about a week ago, and what a wonderful and fun trip it was. We had a luxurious place to stay that was a comfortable walk from the convention center, and not far from an incredibly diverse grocery store. As always, there were hundreds of classes to choose from, a vendor mall that was so big it was overwhelming, and a fabulous display of quilts.

There was so much to see, such beautiful artistry. The quilts were colorful and original. They were pieced, painted, dyed, whole cloth, embellished. There was every size and shape imaginable. They even had a display of saddles that had been quilted. It was a lot to take in, especially when you’re trying to find the quilt that you know your friend entered, but you have no idea where in the center it was! There was inspiration to be found everywhere you looked.

I chose classes to learn new techniques, and that gave me the opportunity to play around with some different materials, including paints and dyes, silk roving, different stabilizers and cheesecloth. The opportunity to learn from other quilters, other fiber artists is one that I always look forward to. The experience did not disappoint. Although neither item is quite finished yet, my pictures here show the work in progress from the classes.

It doesn’t really matter how good you are, there is always more that you can learn. There are always explorations that you haven’t done before, techniques to learn, art to make. Never stop learning, never stop creating.

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Reggi Coles

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As I mentioned a few weeks ago I like to really reflect this time of year. Did I accomplish what I set out to do this year? What did I learn? What can I do better next year? It isn't always about business either. Lots of my goals are personal ones. I try to always continue to learn, and many times the lessons I learn are more about myself than anything else. 

There is that saying, you know the one. It's not about the destination, it's about the journey. As I think about what I want to focus on this upcoming year, I realize just how true that is. When we are working toward a goal, it is about the journey. Yes, it's great to achieve whatever that goal is that you are reaching for, but ultimately, it's about the journey. What it took to get there, what you learned, what you tried. What worked, what didn't, what you loved, what you disliked. What you would do different next time, and what you are now incorporating in your daily journey.

When I look at art, whether I'm the artist or someone else is, I always see a journey. Of course I appreciate the finished piece, but I always think back about the journey. What it took to make that piece. What lessons were learned, how the style or technique was honed and perfected. How parts of it were repeated over and over again. Art does imitate life. Art is just a condensed version of life. Trial and error. Repeat, practice, exploration. What is that if not a reflection of life? What's going on in your journey?

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Reggi Coles

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