Right Place, Wrong Time

Timing is everything, or so the well worn adage says. I venture all of us have life experiences when something happens at the exact right time. (And the wrong time too, but I don’t want to go there…) There is also the acute realization that specific things (meaning a book, music, movie or a hobby) enter your life when you need them most. I am reluctant to define the remarkable timing of these events as fate, yet there really is something mysterious about how this all transpires. All I can say is that when things align at the right time, it is beautiful.

This sweet little quilt’s journey started in June 2023 and is crafted out of delicious hemp fabric dyed with yellow onion skins procured from the compost bin at my favorite farm stand. The quilt design is inspired by a local geologic formation called Tieton Andesite and finished with light blue wavy lines mimicking the Tieton river. Although the intention was an homage to the local unique lava flows, I did not plan ahead or sketch a design before I started cutting and sewing. The quilt is yet another example of going with the flow. No lava pun intended!

I originally crafted this quilt as as entry for an art show that celebrated the local landscape. Although it was not accepted, there was no disappointment. The quilt’s next stop was the regional fair in the art quilt category. From personal experience, the art quilt group at smaller, local quilt shows tends to be sparse and I wanted to represent the beauty of improvisational design and natural dyes. Unfortunately when we visited the fair, we were dismayed to find the poor thing wadded up (!) on a shelf in the quilt display. Shocked to see something I made treated this way, we cracked too many “so not fair” and “rogue quilt” jokes to diffuse the disappointment. To say that I was surprised to receive a second place ribbon and cash prize ($4!) for this quilt afterward is an understatement. And quilter-readers, please do not let my rare experience deter you from entering your work. The world needs more quilts in art venues.

After this event, I thought the quilt was home for good. Then, and here’s where timing matters, I spotted a call for an Earth Day show through a local artist group. I thought, well shucks, this piece is pretty earthy being all dyed from waste and a depiction of local geology, so I submitted the quilt. And drum roll please, not only was it accepted but it also won Honorable Mention! In a group of artists no less. The judges called it “earthy and inviting” and said that I can “recognize artistic merit from something destined to go in the trash”. Now that is some priceless kudos right there! This experience was an excellent reminder that a) branching out and showing work is positive, b) my own opinion of my work matters more than others and c) but damn, recognition feels awesome. The quilt needed a little extra time to land in the right place at the right time.

I am aware that I frequently proclaim a particular musician or band is a favorite so as a reminder, in my world, favorite is a tier. Just because there are multiple favorites does not diminish my affection. One of my ultra-premier favorites is the musician Dr. John. He was such a singularly unique human with an ability to tweak the English language in such peculiar ways (Dr. John-isms, if you will) and musician that for those unfamiliar, I am unable to succinctly describe him. His music was genre-defying and incorporated jazz, funk, blues, soul, rock and probably some other ingredient I’m missing. Voodoo perhaps. His music and legacy is like a big pot of homemade goodness that no one else can replicate. The song “Right Place, Wrong Time” is arguably Dr. John’s most famous song. Understandably! Even if you’ve heard it a hundred times, it is undeniably awesome with a killer groove and his characteristic spin on language. Who else writes “just need a little brain salad surgery”? Only Dr. John.

The Tieton Andesite quilt has had such an interesting journey since its inception. It actually is Earth Day art and the timing of its public appearance is, to use a favorite word of dear friend Lisa, serendipitous. I am honored to have something I created showcased with other artists. Obviously I’m not going to stop the climate catastrophe by making quilts dyed with onion skins. But that isn’t the point. The point is that all of our small actions matter and any impact reduction is still a reduction. If it inspires someone else to think creatively about re-use, that is awesome. I’m just grateful that is able to shine along with all the other earthy artworks. The quilt is exactly in the right place, and it is the right time.