Finding Inspiration in All the Right Places

Yesterday I decided to venture out for a walk with my camera.  I had no particular destination in mind.  My only goal was to snap some photos to take back home for design inspiration on my next art quilts...or as I heard it said, " to feed my muse".

Having finished my 16-month-long project of a Torah Ark curtain for our synagogue just before leaving for Israel, I knew I would be returning home from my trip with the need for some new ideas.

What I found was that inspiration was EVERYWHERE!!!

The architecture in Jerusalem is amazing.  There are wonderful designs in fences, doors,
window gates, street posts ...
 

 recycle bins...and even 

 

sewer covers!

(A elderly passerby laughed at me when she saw me taking this  photo of a sewer cover (above)...I replied "I'm an artist".   Afterwards, I was not sure why I even bothered to justify what I was doing....some things artists do are just not understandable.)

  
Life in Israel is an infinite display of visual beauty, both physically and spiritually.


As with most of my art quilts, I really have no idea when I begin one, where the work will lead,  how it will end up, or what it is meant to become.  I just begin doing something like sewing strips of fabric together.

I really have NO idea if, where, or when the above images will end up in my artwork....    I just look for line, pattern, color combination, anything that strikes me when I see it.

Today as well as every day, I was very grateful to be able to say, "I am an artist".

Meeting Marlyn

I am still in Israel, and while enjoying the best of all my 7 or 8 trips here so far, last Tuesday afternoon I had the great pleasure of meeting Marlyn, another acquaintance I made from the IJQ list (Internet Jewish Quilters ).   After meeting her near her home, she walked me back to her place and we shared 2 hours of delicious "coffee and quilting".

Marlyn has a great studio...small, but quite functional.   I was impressed by her ability to maximize her storage space with cabinetry in every possible place,  and she gets maximum usage of two tables that line two of her walls.  She uses one long table for her sewing machine and computer and a high table for standing and cutting.   As space is a valuable commodity in Israel, it is necessary to make the most of what space one has, and Marlyn has done just that.
We both agreed that her studio is "full" but not cluttered.  (And there IS a difference!)

Two windows in her studio allow for wonderful natural, bright lighting.   And, of course, her kitties love basking in the warm sunshine as they snoozed in the bottom of the metal window cages which are characteristic in many of the older Israel architecture.


Marlyn and I both shared our passion for fabric as well as a few necessary points upon which we agreed:
1.  There is no such thing as having "too much" fabric
2.  When going to a fabric store, it is not necessary to purchase any.  Just going to look at it is quite fulfilling and satisfying.
3.  We'd rather receive fabric than any other gift item.  (a gift coupon will do...hint, hint)
4.  Whatever extra petty cash we have is best spent on .....___________(take a guess!)

After discussing her studio, Marlyn took me into another room to show me a few of her bed quilts she has made.  Marlyn has completed approximately 70 bed quilts.  Along with being amazed by her  incredible productivity, I was totally impressed by her talent.  Marlyn has a great eye for use of pattern and color, as she masterfully blends fabrics that she has collected from Australia, Africa, and many other places.   Her collection of fabrics was quite unique....Though I was able to control my drooling, it was hard to contain my fabric-envy!

Marlyn with 'skewed' log cabin quilt, and Cleo


Our two hours together whizzed by!  We parted with hugs and good intentions of keeping in touch.  Thank you, Marlyn, for meeting with me....I look forward to keeping posted with what you are doing.

Burgers Bar~ Ra'anana, Israel

For me, my trip to Israel is not complete without a meal at Burgers Bar in Ra'anana.

On  Monday night, my husband first took us to a beautiful dairy restaurant.   After looking at the menu, seeing the prices, and realizing my taste buds would not be totally satisfied, I said,    "Sweetie, let's save the money.  I just want a hamburger!"

I got my wish, and my usual...a single burger with fries.

Burgers Bar is NOT a fancy place, but they have gone upscale a BIT.  They now serve on real dishes and they enclosed their outdoor front porch and installed heaters...

but, fortunately, it has still maintained that "hole in the wall" feel...

it's still noisy...not a place to go when you are wanting a quiet meal out.

There is still the wonderful commotion of a too-small space, the sounds of  customers, mostly teenagers, crowding in,  young burger-flippers yelling orders to one another,  music videos playing on a huge flatscreen TV that practically takes up a whole wall.  (Tonight's selection was music videos of the 80's...Michael Jackson and an assortment of others)...

...and meat sizzling on the grill....

It all only contributes to this great anticipation of a meal that is worth dealing with the noise and crowd...

...and the hamburger IS worth it!!!  Served hot off the grill, when your order is ready you go up to the counter and  pick your own trimmings, which they add for you.  

 Served on a huge, white-flour sesame seed bun, which, by the time you get to the end of the burger, the burger juice and sauce has softened the white bread...mmmmm!    My digestive system usually tells me about it the next day, but I don't care!

Some things are just too hard to pass up.

                              I can't believe I ate the WHOLE thing!!!
                                                                   (yes, I can)

Where Am I?

This was my first thought when I walked into the kitchen of our apartment in Jerusalem this morning and beheld this view outside our window.





I have been to Israel perhaps 7 or 8 times and though I have
seen photos of snow here, I have never witnessed it
personally...  It happens rarely.

Walking outside today, it felt surreal. ...seeing palm trees and snow seemed quite incongruous.  

I live in the Midwest.  When we left  for this trip in Mid-December, I was feeling quite haughty thinking that we were going to miss most of the winter by returning home after the worst of winter is over....well, as the saying goes "man plans, and G-d laughs"....

              G-d showed me who is Boss

.....I'm just glad I brought my boots!!!






 determined traveler in the rock park

Meeting Cindy

Today was a cold, windy, rainy day in Jerusalem, yet I was determined to take the two buses to get from my apartment in Katamon to Beit Shemesh where Cindy R lives.  Like my meeting with Gail yesterday, I had previously contacted Cindy when I knew I would be in Jerusalem, and we arranged to meet in person.

One of the things I am learning in my quilt-artist-quest, is that they (art quilters)  are probably the friendliest people around.   Cindy greeted me with a warm hug after I got off the bus, took me back to her house, fed me lunch, and was a wealth of information, helping me by sharing so many ideas...it was a wonderful visit.  Not only did I feel great about making a new friend, I also came away inspired.  She is incredibly productive and TALENTED!!!

                             Cindy R, of CindyR Quilts, and her Jerusalem art quilt

After I returned home from today's adventure, I had frozen toes and wet gloves, but I had an incredible warm spot inside from meeting Cindy as well as a huge feeling of accomplishment for having navigated today's journey on the bus!

Meeting a sister Art-Quilter In Jerusalem

David and I have been in Israel now for 3 weeks.   Lisa was married last week, my kids returned to the U.S. last night, and after 3 weeks of family events, I was ready to do something art-related and just for moi!!!

I met Gail through the Internet Jewish Quilters' List, and she was gracious enough to go way out of her way and pick me up from my apartment and take me to her Monday quilters' group.   

Despite the fact that I did not bring any fabric or project with me to Israel, I greatly enjoyed browsing hostess Chava's extensive art-quilter's library.  WOW, what a selection!!!

Tomorrow I plan on meeting another art-quilter from the IJQ.   That is, if I can navigate my way to Beit Shemesh on my own using the bus system !

The Rock Park

My husband and I are renting a beautiful apartment in Katamon, within Jerusalem.  It is in a fairly quiet area (yeah!), and just down the block we discovered this nice rock park. 

I have been enjoying coming here to sit in the sun and talk to G-d...