2007/02/17

Maybe I didn't Have a Late Start

Blenheim Weaver Rose took us to the home/studio of Picton damask weaver/textile artist Peg. Peg is not only an accomplished weaver, but an absolutely lovely lady with a great sense of humor; she asked me if I sold anything at the Exhibit(ion), to which I said no; she then whispered, "People are stupid."

Peg is 89, and weaves every day; she started weaving sometime in the the 1970's. So I'm thinking, with a lot of effort, I too can be an accomplished weaver by the time I'm 89, and that's been the best news I heard in a while!

3 comments:

Maureen said...

I read a wonderful book a few years ago, I think it ws title "Late Bloomers" about people who had discovered their "calling" or gifts after the age of 50 or 60 .. or so. It was really inspiring to me - and to my husband Tim. We both occasionally lament the fact that we really need another lifetime to do the things we really want to get good at .... and then I read about people like your Peg. I still have time. Maybe. Knock on wood ... YOU most definitely aren't starting too late. You are where you are with your art. How cool to have met someone like her!

Meg said...

I might go and look for that book, it sounds inspiring.

I know that as a late bloomer, I'm bringing "other" knowledge into what I do now, but I still wished I spent time learning about colors and texture in my youth so that by this stage I would have "known" these things... And late start is one thing, slow progress is another story; I'm so methodical and cautious that it takes me four, five, twenty times longer to get the hang of one weave structure. Though I have to keep reminding myself what my friend Win Currie said: "It's working for you."

Then you meet people like Peg, or even my mother who is 76, and they just sit and weave. I'm sure there's lots going on in their heads, but as mom said: "Love to ponder that point with you, dear, but I probably have another x years left in me to throw shuttles, so must go." That's zen.

Meg said...

As I emailed you, Maureen, I really appreciate your interest in what I do. It’s especially helpful when I start to loose focus/interest. I never loose interest in textiles, but sometimes I loose interest in my weaving when I feel mine are mediocre/boring. Surprisingly, this time it came after my first experience of attending a guild meeting and seeing some really nice work, so should I call it a type of artistic sulking? I have to keep reminding myself that art is a process, but always one for instant gratification, I want to see stages of achievement once in a while.