Thank You for Your Responses to "Flames"

FLAMES - c2005 Pat Dolan

I don’t normally ‘expose myself’ quite so publicly, however this quilt ("Flames") is so powerful and so ‘speaking’ that I was willing to describe it’s origins on my blog… and I’m glad now that I did so. I have heard from many others, like yourself, that have identified with the drama contained in this quilt and the old dramas from which it arose.

"Flames" is now waiting for the arrival of some black YLI Jeans Stitch (heavy-duty, thick) thread to use in quilting much of the background – I want the quilting to be as strong as the design but complementing it, now out-doing it. I’ll also use lots of shiny rayon threads in & around the flames & such, but the background will mostly remain black in high contrast to the foreground.

Our history is precisely that – history. It has contributed to who we have become, but it need not DEFINE who we are. Discovering the authentic self beneath all the ‘family lies,’ is a major part of life’s journey – at least for many of us. I have found it to be the most fascinating, painful, beautiful, and exhilarating journey – through some very long, very dark times. I know I am a better woman for having lived my story and then chosen to relive it differently with the help of loving, caring others.

“Flames” is growing directly out of my personal experience – as authentic a piece of art as I have ever made. For 20 years or so I worked at creating beautiful watercolors – nostalgic paintings of cats, flowers, antiques and lace doilies. I also did commission work – usually in the same theme, but sometimes of wild-life plants, animals or birds.

HUMMINGBIRD NESTING - watercolor - cPat Dolan
(Collection of Elaine Dube)
Wildlife actually spurred me into changing my own life. Wildlife is beautiful – exquisitely so…but it is also dark, dangerous, and deadly. I’ve learned that I need to balance both light and darkness in life, not ignore or bury the darkness in fear of its truth. That only empowers the darkness to become stronger – all the more is needed to get our attention and to invite us into truth. Or so it seems to me…


HAWK SOARING - watercolor cPat Dolan
(Collection of Don Simmons)

Blessings to all of us as we journey into authenticity and personal truth!
Pat