Maria calls these pieces Fabric Paintings, but I think of them as Wall Hangings. They are neither pot holders nor quilts, but they have a beautiful space in the middle.

On Fridays, if she’s in a good mood, I’m invited into her studio to see how some new work is progressing. She never speaks of a work in progress to me or anyone else; I have yet to learn what it is until I walk into the studio.

Maria is very humble about her work, which is appealing.

She’s never done with it until she feels she’s done. I love the simplicity of this work, just as it is, but it’s not up to me, and I don’t ever suggest changes in her work. We both keep a real boundary around our work.

But usually, when she shows me something, she isn’t looking for my opinion; she’s just starting to like it herself. She’s very self-contained; she doesn’t need other people’s views to like something. She works very much alone and in her own head.

I’m certainly not unbiased, but one of the things I especially love about Maria’s work is that it speaks for itself. It has a lot to say without saying it or beating anyone over the head. It always has something to say to me and a lot of meaning, this one especially.

This work still needs to be finished, she says. She’s working on the bird and other things. It’s a remarkable piece for its simplicity and power. And the tree is amazing;  it took a long time.

She will probably be done with it sometime early next week. She is still deciding what she will charge for it or call it. If you have any questions,  you can e-mail her at [email protected] or check on its progress on her blog, fullmoonfiberart.com.