Limits can be one of the healthiest things for creativity. Often, we think of creativity as the freedom to be entirely unrestricted. However, creativity thrives when we impose limits on ourselves. True creativity requires a challenge, a problem to solve, or some form of constraint, whether externally imposed or self-imposed.
I think that’s why I love creative prompts, especially public ones. I love seeing the beautiful diversity of creativity on display, from different minds, hearts, and experiences. So, of course, I loved the mini quilt challenges held for each episode of Curated Quilts magazine.
When I began focusing on my quilting again last year, I decided to participate in the mini quilt challenge for what turned out to be the final issue of Curated Quilts: Linear 2.0, issue 24. Along with the issue theme, required color palette, the prompt was “counterpart.”
My submission that was published in the digital magazine, and later available in print, was titled,You Are Not Invisible.
I find myself in an unfamiliar season of life. Throughout the pandemic and years following, my circle of influence has shrunk rather dramatically. I have lost my best friends to cancer and international relocation. I’ve resigned many of my local volunteer posts. And my professional and non-professional podcasts and social media presence have dissipated.
I found myself feeling invisible.
As I thought through the idea of “counterpart,” I realized I had fallen victim to that social monster called comparison. The piece is mainly composed of two lines which intersect off the edge of the piece for a brief moment, but mostly travel in differing directions.
The lines couldn’t be more different.
One line emerges from the background material, while the other insists on your attention with its flashy, multi-colored assembly. The first thing you see is this colorful line, and it’s lovely. It effectively engages your attention. It's dynamic and cheerful.
The quieter line rises above the rest of the quilt (trapunto) and is not quilted. Its presence is far more subtle, but it is felt. The machine-quilted lines follow the trajectory of this background linear element. There are also hand-quilted lines in a color that matches the background. While not as visible, they extend to the edges of the quilt in ever-expanding distance from the raised line, as if they are a wave, washing over even the colorful line.
Maybe you feel invisible as you compare yourself to others. Maybe you feel plain, quiet, or that your contribution to the world is barely visible. When you feel like that, remember this image. Remember that impact has nothing to do with visibility. Small actions. Kind words. Quiet love. These can be the catalyst for a wave of impact that grows beyond your wildest dreams. Even if you never see the results.
You are not invisible.