Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Yin and Yang

Yesterday I visited an acquaintance, who may end up being a friend. She is a knitter and quilter and we share a lot in common in some ways. Her mother was also a teacher, as was mine. We spent a lot of time discussing our creative outlets but as I was talking to her, I mentioned some of my co-workers and friends who are very talented artists and craftspeople of various kinds.

One is a fabulous embroiderer and quilter whose work spans machine embroidery and hand embroidery. She also quilts art garments and quilts and decorates quizzical cakes. Another, who is now in California after retirement, quilted amazing quilts and entered them in national shows. She is also a black belt in karate and the quilt she made her sensei when she got her black belt was inspirational. There are many knitters and quilters, but also jewelry makers. Two of my students at work learned to knit because they wanted to make knitted garments for their dolls. They make dolls, outfit them down to the shoes and jewelry, and enter them in competition. Then there are the photographers and painters.

All of these are women who began life as engineers and mathematicians and programmers. There are some history and music majors but also physicists. This year's Women's History month theme is Women's Art: Women's Vision. [For those outside the US, March has been designated as Women's History Month in the USA]. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the many facets of women than through their art and creativity.

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