July

darning classes, crane prints, and Kate Bush Doppler effect

This year I was digging into an old woodpile that had been left to rot decades ago. I wanted to move the old pile to make space for a new building site. Lifting my pitchfork through the half-decayed logs, some of them were soft and mushy like cake, others less so, as if insulated by the rotting ones surrounding them. My fork broke through velvety moss, unearthing the rich browns and blacks and oranges of decaying wood. What had already decayed into humus was tied together with a vast system of roots. Most were threadlike and numerous, others were large and golden or creamy white. They held the mass of the woodpile together as they themselves aided in its demise. Spiders, ants, and woodlice crawled over the destruction I had wrought on their world, and I felt small pangs of guilt as I watched them flee. 

- from ‘Unearthed’, 2020. You can read more here.

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We have entered July and the weather has shifted to Hot and Humid, leaving my brain feeling mushy, so I will offer this brief missive as a list of links to new news and goings on. Thank you for reading!

• I'm excited to share that two pieces of mine have been published in Wovenutopia, an online magazine exploring the world of textiles. Above is an excerpt from my essay "Unearthed". You can read the rest of it and my poem "Blueberry Denim" here. If you'd like to read for free, use my name MAYASKYLARK at checkout :) Also, if you want to read about some tips for caring for your denim, you can check out my blog post about it from last year here.

• I have TWO darning classes scheduled so far this summer! In Portland, Maine and Newburyport, Mass. You can find the links to register for them here! 

• I finally made a new edition of my crane scissors print! I used the very last of my antique letter writing paper, so these will be the last of their kind. I really love this print and I'm especially proud of this edition. I finally brought my printmaking supplies to my home, which has definitely tipped the scales from 'making art in my home' to 'living in my studio', which is how I like it!

• Lastly, I took myself on a date this week, and I just wanted to say go take yourself on a date! I am alone a lot of the time (I like it this way) so sometimes I think I'm spending quality time by myself when I'm really just working, numbing out, or cleaning. Going to a see a weird movie by myself reminded me that there is a difference, and I have to schedule that sweet sweet quality time!

xoxo

m

ps. what are you listening to these days? I've been listening to this and this, as well as the sound of Kate Bush fading in and out of my apartment as she is adored from the speakers of passing cars :)