Today was Maria’s last day in the Studio Barn at Bedlam Farm, so special to all of us. For her, it meant a great deal. It brought us together. It sparked her return to her life as an artist. In that barn, we first talked, got to know each other, shared our loves, our fears, became friends. She loved every inch of that ugly barn – it was built in the 70’s as an appliance repair shop by a struggling farmer. Maria made it hers, building a nest for Frieda in the corner. Mother came to visit her at night. I came to bring popcorn and tea. I fell in love with Maria there. I saw her find her place there, open up  her life as an artist, make quilts, pillows, potholders, streaming pieces.

She was always happy there, singing, dancing, listening to music, flitting from sewing machine to table to floor, assembling the discarded fabrics she loves. It was a tough day for her, she was in mourning all day, I saw in the lines in her  face. Tomorrow, a new studio in a new place. Sunday she and her friends are clearing out the old studio and moving in here. I will be very happy to see her love a new studio, the schoolhouse studio. She talks about it on her website.