Today, I mentioned the art concept of “ma” (a Japanese word for the idea). This has to do with leaving negative space in one’s work for the eye to rest. So many times in compositions, there is no blank space. One embroidery technique that relies heavily on “ma” is Assisi embroidery.

This is a nineteenth century example of Assisi embroidery.

On this pillowcase, you can see that the flower shapes are defined by the blue cross stitches that surrounds them.

Good art adheres to the principles of proportion, scale, color, composition, and negative space. My problem with many colorwash quilts is that they are all prints, and the prints are all terribly “busy,” leaving no “ma” at all.

Sometimes, a way to improve a piece is to lessen the confusion on the surface and to isolate the elements that you really want to stand out.

Can you think of any traditional quilts or art quilts that effectively use this concept?

Patricia Cummings in New Hampshire, who refuses to be put down by the callous remarks of mean-spirited trouts, and who celebrates the goodness and kindness of some of the very talented ladies I’ve met this week.

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