Layers of Meaning

Quotable Michael James

Quote of the day - from Michael James from an interview in the May/June 2005 Quiltmaker magazine. Their question: If you could offer one piece of advice for quiltmakers today, what would it be?

"It's the same I've always offered: just do the work. And don't try to figure out what other people want. Figure out what YOU want your work to be, and what you want it to say. Where imagination is concerned, the average American is shortchanged--she's been dulled into quiet compliance by the forces of conformity. Inventive people (artists and scientists among them) think outside the box--that's where they're most comfortable.

Quiltmaking has historically been an art of conformity. I think it's high time that we relegate that fact to quilt history, and move this art form fully into the 21st century where it should take its place alongside other exploratory and creative media."