Tapestry and Soccer

How is weaving a tapestry like playing soccer?
I know, it sounds like a strange riddle, but there are similarities.

It’s not enough to understand what to do. In order to do it well, you have to practice, over and over, and it takes a long time to achieve proficiency. Along with skill, you need to have vision, and the ultimate experience is being “in the zone.”

There have been times on the soccer field when I suddenly saw everything very clearly, I knew exactly what I had to do, and was able to do it easily. Afterwards I was surprised at myself. That is the same feeling I get on those rare occasions when I discover something completely new and exciting in the studio.


There are major differences too. Tapestry weaving involves a lot of sitting, and it's a quiet, calming activity. Soccer, on the other hand, is fast, aggressive, noisy and gets your adrenaline pumping. Tapestry is something I do all by myself, sometimes reveling in the solitude, but other times feeling too isolated. Soccer is a team sport and satisfies my need to be with other people, interacting not just verbally, but physically.

Soccer used to take up a lot of my free time, but now that I’ve finally been forced to retire (don’t get me started on my foot injuries), there is more time in the studio, and that’s a good thing.

It’s the only good thing about having to give up something that made me so happy for 30 years.

Time to stop whining and move on to new adventures. Like blogging perhaps?