Break UP 40H x 30W 2018

Artist Statement—Northerners have special names for the mucky weather of spring. In Alaska, we call this time of the year Break Up. Snow from the mountains begins to melt and dirt roads become creeks—ice rots and mud rules. The change is so slow that we all grow impatient wanting the light, the sun, the dry land. I love this season. Everyone’s yard looks like a junkyard. There is no snow or leaves to hide your business. You spend your days adding and subtracting layers of clothing, and the sunlight just keeps coming. It is a restless naked season I think.

“Oh, Sunlight! The most precious gold to be found on Earth.” ― Roman Payne

I would like to advocate for a bigger celebration of spring. Yes, there are religious holidays, March Madness, and National Quilting Day but none of these events truly celebrate the magic of—that’s daylight coming at you— spring. I’m talking about a warm sun that you can actually feel on your face! 12 hours of daylight and counting! Two layers not three! I want a hootenanny to celebrate that. Perhaps it is because I live in Alaska that I am desperate for a full fledged announcement that winter is moving along—“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out”. I have visions of Granny Clampett standing in her doorway with a loaded shotgun, “Get on home and don't you come back until next year.” Winter in Alaska is often a guest who stays too long.

Not to be pejorative, but most of you have what I might call middle of the road seasons. I know some of you claim to LOVE the four seasons, but do you really love winter when it is 30 below? Do you think longingly of a spring that leaves your house coated in dried mud? Does your heart twitter when it frosts AGAIN in May? I don’t think so. You like all of that only just a little bit. Lower 48 style I suppose. I have long held the belief that AK weather eliminates the wimps—it is a natural gatekeeper.

Many of you have been watching True Detective. So many that I decided I better watch it just so I can answer all the questions you have been asking. There are places in Alaska where the sun does set and not show up again until months later. Thank goodness Anchorage is not one of them. That darkness is like a lead noose even for those of us who are lucky enough to see the sun in December. 

Here is the deal. Alaska’s fantastic seasons are like sensory deprivation oscillating with sensory overload. Our pendulum swings high and far when it comes to how we turn ourselves around the sun.

I am ready to forget all that. ENOUGH winter. I look forward to these things—

The neighborhood momma moose who has her twins in our backyard—Yep. She does it every other year. Reading trail reports to figure out which trails are fragile and which are ready for the trample of our feet. The hum of a midnight lawn mower and even more ridiculous—the explosions of fireworks competing with the nighttime sun—guess who wins the award for brightest light? The slim to none chance that I might get to wear shorts—it could happen. Unless of course the mosquitos are bad. Gosh, I hope they aren’t as bad as last year. Or it could just rain. And that is when I am glad that I have two trips planned for going outside this summer! I would like Minnesota and New Hampshire to promise me sunshine. If only I could write that into my contract.

Happy spring to all of you. Please get out and celebrate that sun. From here on out the days are gloriously long but they are also fleeting. If you are like us northerners, you know you’ve got to get out while the getting is good. Don’t waste your weather. 

NEWS & EVENTS
Game of Improv Virtual Workshop—THIS WEEKEND--DON'T MISS OUT ON THE FUN! 
Join me for an action packed weekend of seat of your pants quilting OR strategic stitching—it is your call, either way it's a super good time.
Saturday & Sunday April 6 & 7, 2024
1PM—5PM East Coast Time

Minnesota Quilt Festival
June 13-15, 2024
There is still room in my Circle & Curve Sampler class on Saturday June 15!

A Gathering of Stitches
July 15—21, 2024
I will be joining Bianca Springer and Kim Eichler-Messmer  for a total immersive stitching experience AND I am offering a new workshop called Skinny Lines & Fat Curves. There is one spot left! 

STUDIO SNAPSHOT
I always bring a twelve color palette on my teaching trips to use for demo-ing and maybe even a quilt! Here are the parts I have stitched over the last few months. Keep in mind that this is an inventory not a composition (yet).

FLASHBACK PHOTO
In April 2014, I was deep into my recycled wool phase. I thought I would take a few months off from quilting and develop an upcycled sweater line! I called it Arcticouture. Anyway, here is my studio at that moment in time. It gets worse before it gets better. 

May you always be prepared for the weather that happens.

Maria