Let's start with Ha.
Soul-O actually chased this cat up into a tree!
I guess he's not as old and lazy as I imagined. He certainly seems to have his energy back. I went back to make sure that this stray got down out of the tree.
And then the need for Holding. It's dark and rainy today. A Sudden Burst of Energy has evolved into a Slow and Deliberate Holding. I think it is just a story about a cloth that needs that. And the many ways that might happen. And then the form that might result...
And then back to Ha.
And just to say, I thought I was Hallucinating when two young black bears wandered out of the woods and ate some wild grapes by the garden fence. And quickly disappeared. Hilarious that for some reason my phone and my camera seemed no where to be found. And so Ha!, you will just have to trust my story.
Hey Ho, I'm off for a wander...
Ah Jude, you are one of a kind, something I read long ago that has always stayed with me is when you see others work
“Innovate, don’t imitate”.
I remember seeing my exact words on someone else’s website, I was heart broken, I felt Iike a piece of me was being taken without my permission. But my dear old dad who was very wise, said “Take it as a compliment, if they aren’t smart enough to come up with their own words or creations, yours must me pretty damn good”. 😉 He was old school, bless him, but he was right.
Like you I think the majority of people do the right thing, especially if they have respect for the artist. Those that don’t will get found out pretty soon, as you have such a distinctive style. It says a lot about them. I’m so happy whenever I watch one of Jeri’s video’s and she always refers back to you, and how amazing you are and sends others your way.
You have a whole tribe of cloth whisperers who love and support you and your amazing talent, good luck to anyone who tries to copy and get away with it, we are all here keeping an eye on those who post similar to your creations that look just far too
familiar, for us not to point it out to them.
Sending hugs 🫂
Listening to you talk about being copied and then reading the comments made me smile. I know most of my friends that I discuss my stitching projects with, are well familiar with the name “Jude Hill” by now. They just roll their eyes a little when I start a sentence with “my mentor, Jude Hill, you know the stitcher who’s work I’ve shown you, says…” I can clearly see your influence in my own stitching but even if I tried or wanted to copy, it wouldn’t be possible – for all the reasons so many have already said. And there is satisfaction in knowing that I am creating my own style that is recognizable to the few who see it. Many thanks to you Jude for inspiring us all.
It is always a struggle…on both sides…when one is creating. We are but the sum of our experiences. We emulate those we admire and love. We add our own essences to techniques and ideas. It is disheartening when the Uncharitable attack, even if they believe they are protecting another. Symbols and techniques…stitches…words…. They float out in the ethers amongst us! Mind is HUGE and flows endlessly, brushing against countless selves…. I remember when I was accused of copying Hazel when I made my first Fragments! The person was vicious! But she thought she was protecting someone she admired. To my mind, I had been emulating you…and frequently credit you, as you well know! ❤️ So many of us came to telling Story in cloth beneath your magnanimous and Uber Talented Eye and Guiding Hands! You have a wondrous language in your art. It permeates those around you like an accent. We are grateful and blessed to pick up the Judish Accent!! ❤️ Just as we pick up accents of Lacatavian, ShiboriGirlish, Flintian and a host of other artistic languages! What a wondrous world of glorious colour and flavour that we live in!! ❤️
Mentally I went “a-HA,” when I saw the big eyes in the tree. Just the result of Soul-O doing his job. And bears! I can’t resist the “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” exclamation.
Most of the times when I see something on the internet I can tell if it’s your work, or someone influenced by your teaching or your example. But yours is always so distinctive. I don’t think anyone could exactly copy your creations unless they flat out incorporated your icons, your unique pieces of fabric and your distinctive stitchery. I can’t imagine anyone being enough of a hacker to do that. Except for the evil AI.
Mostly folks are not thinking about stealing or anything. And honestly most folks ask… which is always a good feeling.
There are always a few rude people. But that will always be true. I just don’t bother with it any more.
That’s the best attitude.
If it’s mere copying they’re not getting anywhere.
I think it’s the joy in the process of discovering what/where a piece of cloth or art is leading you to.
Lucky you to be graced by 2 young bears. Wildlife is magical & offers a secret language.
🤗
No your not, but you are beginning…
The wild is really a necessity to our experience, how ever that might happen. I remember my first bee sighting. of course I was little and got stung.
H for Ha! We’ve had more bear activity this year than ever in past 10 years! Two cubs..Mother most likely nearby! Rain will start here soon too. Love holding and ha.❤️
They have never come close here. Many things are different this year.
No one can copy you Jude; they might use your ideas but the result will never be the same. You are unique. Your cloths take on their own personalities.
Lions and tigers and bears oh my!
of course not, we are all unique!
There is only ONE Jude Hill and we all know her work, don’t we!? I have learned so much from you and as you know, share my own little spin on what I have learned from your generous sharing. And that’s what we do when we post our things online and we must expect that there will be copying and I am grateful for it. I want people to Keep moving and create. I always give credit. And then there’s the ones that don’t give credit and act like they came up with this amazing idea on their own and that does make me crazy. But we know… I did a little YT video about copying not too long ago. You would be surprised at how many people are clueless that it is not ok to share class notes and copyrighted classes. If I made an impact on one person doing that I am grateful.
I am grateful for you Jude and, so many others that share their creativity online. 💜💜💜
we all have gifts to give, we all need help! ha!
Ah-HAH moment.
And, my mother always said it was the purest form of flattery when someone wanted to copy what one did.
And yes, far better it NOT be AI !!
A HA moment. Ha!
Hey!
Yes we have gone through the copying thing over the years. When teaching (or as I look at it these days- facilitating or leading) a workshop I do want people to copy to a degree. In order to learn or to practice. Isn’t that how we all come to create something?
I also encourage lots of what iffing and “let’s try it and find out”.
I remember learning how to write cursive… practicing each letter by writing the letters over and over the dotted lines as provided. In the end, learning to connect each letter but somehow each person’s handwriting evolves to become their own.
Saturday bears!
Yes, teaching helps me expand, I learn.
The bears, oh, I loved seeing them.
Glennis~ Yes! Handwriting is a great example 🙂
I love the energy in your voice and the spin here, in cloth and in ideas. How did things that in the end don’t matter all that much get to the top of the list. I of course do not have or create mush to be copied, so it’s Hard to totally relate, but I can understand. I have one beloved photo that I would be sad if someone stole it and especially if they made money off of it – I could use the money too, so that would bug me. hahahaha
That stray is adorable, but I think Soul-O says you are a one cat house! Its eyes look like more leaves.
And a bear as well! wow! It seems (at least around here) that the wild animals are living closer and closer to us humans…or is it the other way around? Ha
Of course it would bug you. It hurts sometimes, and folks can be mean spirited and disrespectful. The hardship of making a living is a reality too. I feel these thing often happen through some form of disconnect.
Bears were here first I think. In these hills.
LOVED your comments today, Jude! Many years ago, my ceramics teacher said that learning to create new things was a 3 step process: Imitate, assimilate, innovate. First you learn by imitating someone else’s work. Then you assimilate those thoughts/ideas/techniques into your artistic life. THEN you can innovate, make something new that’s truly your own. This idea has stuck with me for many years. Thanks SO much for sharing all that you do! You are a great inspiration for all of us!
In a way, we become bases for the work of others.
AI could never do what you/we do … and I take great comfort in that
And I’m reminded of something that happened years ago … I was smitten by Alice Fox’s stitch-encased rusty bottle caps, so I wrote and asked her if I might copy the technique … she graciously assented and off I went to collect bottle caps and stitch them between layers of cloth … until someone commented on the blog “How interesting … it reminds me of Alice Fox’s work” (which yes, I had attributed in a previous post) … it totally put me off the project and I never worked on it again
I really think respect has lot to do with all of this. And acceptance of the richness of community. Where and how these comments come to us, how we might soften and let it all melt together. Nothing is new really, maybe we just don’t remember all the details of idea building. It is collective…
Yes, that is it Jude – nothing is really new…not completely…variations with our own essence thrown in.
we are all working together, big work to be done!
Bears! Well that adds some excitement to the day.
Yes!
Ha, indeed. Soul-o has claimed his territory. Cute stray. And BEARS! Glad they found some nourishment, I bet they loved the grapes.
I never see bears so close up. From the porch I felt right next to them… there are a lot of wild grapes this year.
I’m glad you got to see the bears close up. I have a fair amount of close encounters here, and am always thrilled. Bears and owl visits are the best, though Rhu feels differently about bear visits. 🙂
Yeah soul-o is spooked.
Sounds like a good start to your day! 💙✌🏼
And did I mention? It’s 65 degrees!
That sounds wonderful!!
built a fire!
Even better!
A perfect Saturday morning, bringing a Ha! into the moment. And oh! a bear, better still! Feels like Indian Summer here, finally! Cooler, drier, and I have a Writer Spider in my Holly!
I looked that up! I see them here, never knew that name…
Oh! We call those “Zipper Spiders” here! 😀
They have a lot of names!
I just looked them up, too. I love them and know them as orb weavers, didn’t know they were called writing spiders because of their zigzags 🙂
It is time for me to say THANK YOU again for your sharing of all your techniques and beautiful completed (or ongoing) works! At times I have tried to not copy but use your style and it just doesn’t seem to work for me but your techniques, oh yes many have wandered into my own work. So again, thanks for being you and including all of us in your own artistic journey.
That’s the thing tho, I am not sure it ever ends up as copying… it is evolution, sometimes too slow to see…. Ha!
“Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!”
Perfect day to go a wandering.
And so much to hold.
Imagine if I see Lions and Tigers…