Sunday 10 October 2021

Bits and Pieces from "In the Middle of the World"


I have been stuck for words
Not knowing what say about sharing this beautiful space
with my dear friend Judy Martin 


We are both inspired by the landscapes we live in
Hers on the shores of Manitoulin Island
Mine in the tangled woods around the Annapolis Basin in Nova Scotia.


My process has been for many years influences by these words from 
Peter London's book 'Drawing Closer to Nature'.
"Find a portion of the world that is close at hand and adopt it. Become acquainted with it. Draw closer to it by staying with it over a long course of time. In all seasons, all times of the day, all weathers, all circumstances of your own life. The more often you return to this chosen portion of Nature, the more finally you will be able to perceive its more delicate features, as well the slow-to-emerge patterns and rhythms."


Each piece is about how the natural world around me has touched me.


Every piece has a story connected to simple daily observations
of life in the woods and marshes and shorelines
around me. 


I understand the immensity of Judy's pieces
I have driven with her through the mighty rock cuts of northern Ontario
I have sat with her looking out over the endless horizons of Lake Huron.



Love this photo of pieces waiting their turn to be hung!
So many thanks to our young curator, Miranda Bouchard, who works so diligently on our behalf
and writes so beautifully about our work.
(You can see her curatorial statement in the MVTM link below)
So many thanks to Melanie and Michael at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum
who have provided the best environment for our show
which will remain there until December 17th, 2021.

Happy Thanksgiving!

19 comments:

  1. How I wish I could go to that show!! And those words from Peter London are spot on and something I think most artists would benefit from adopting.

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  2. what a perfect setting for your works ... and Judy Martin's ... thank you for sharing these images with those of us who cannot visit them in person

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  3. A beautiful sharing of words and thoughts, Penny...notes of yours and Judy's majestic works that hang in the historical greatness of this old Mill, now Museum. Your work belongs on these walls... and know that the work will be seen, studied and enjoyed by many over the next weeks.

    From a collector's standpoint, each has a place in history. So beautiful, and worthy of the accolades you will receive along the way. I loved seeing each piece...

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    1. Thank you Bethany 🙏🏻. Your support is very special to me♥️

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  4. I think you and Judy share a rib. Such an accomplishment, you both are probably bursting at the seams. Oh, how I wish I could see this show! Stunning, authentic beauty in every way, well done!!

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  5. Stunning work. Thank you, Judith and Penny, for sharing your wonderful visions with us all.

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  6. Oh how I wish I could visit and get close to all those beautiful pieces. And what a beautiful venue with everything so well displayed. Congratulations. xx

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  7. Such utterly amazing creative pieces, by both yourself and Judy.
    Penny, you certainly adopted the landscape around you, and made it part of your life's work.

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  8. This is just amazing! The setting is perfect for your work. Seeing the pieces together is stunning. And the wonderful rustic building with the excellent lighting! How special. Congratulations.

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  9. Beautiful work. Congratulations to you two. You are amazing 🥰

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  10. A very striking gallery to set off your work, and a treat for all who see it!

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    1. We couldn’t have picked a better gallery could we! It is an old mill. In another area they display all the old equipment and suchlike.

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  11. What an incredibly moving show this is Penny. Your pieces flow so well with Judy, yet they are so very different. Just Amazing!!! Thank you for sharing with us.

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  12. A more perfect setting for the love-work of yours and Judy's hands could not be found. The way the environment and both of your works fit together is stunning. Thank you so much for sharing Penny.

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    1. Thank you, Nancy. We are thrilled with venue and how the show has been displayed.

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  13. Oh WOW ! So glad to see these photos ... just wish I could have made it to Allmonte !
    Is this show going to travel ... it should ! More people need to see this gorgeous body of work that you and Judy have spent many years on.

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  14. So so so SO BEAUTIFUL Penny !!!!
    (would LOVE to be able to see them up close . . .)

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  15. i'am thoused by this work , teers in my eyes , in my head i feel them stich by stich piece of cloth , smell them , thank you lady's for your persevere day by day , your observation of the living place the stich by stich . the sharing with me/us the world . big hug

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Thank you for taking the time to comment, your thoughts are most welcome.