Midnight Masquerade, 38 x 45 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2010. For sale at http://www.ovbrant.etsy.com.

Girls Night Out this week led us to True Colors Theatre Company’s production of Gut Bucket Blues. The play is about the life of legendary blues singer Bessie Smith, and I recommend it highly. Besides some soulful blues music, what you could not help but take away from the play was that Bessie Smith lived her life her way, and she made no apologies for it. While one may not agree with all of her choices, you had to admire the openness and the unapologetic way she embraced her authentic self.  I think we could all work to be less hypocritical and more authentic.

My newest quilt is  Midnight Masquerade. It started out as a fun quilt to celebrate India’s prom, but perhaps it shares a deeper meaning. If you are waking up everyday trying to be someone you are not, consider whether it is worth it. Instead,  embrace your authentic self.

Midnight Masquerade is listed for sale in my studio store.