UK-based quilter John J. Cole-Morgan shares pearls of wisdom about his discovery and passion for quilting, a trajectory that has ultimately led to a satisfied and happier life.
Cole-Morgan says he started quilting as a result of a mid-life crisis and an epiphany about the value of creativity in his demanding and successful career.
With his career journey spanning a decade, he says there's always the immense happiness he experiences each time he creates anything new and sees it through to completion.
His outstanding contributions include two charitable exhibitions that were on show during the 22nd Festival of Quilts in South Africa at the Epworth School in Pietermaritzburg.
In an interview with the “Saturday Star”, the multi-award-winning quilter discusses his path, his greatest moments, and what people can expect going forward.
How has your journey been since you found a passion for quilting?
I found quilting during a “midlife crisis” of sorts. My very busy and successful career needed more creativity, and when I found the art of working with textiles, everything shifted to enrich my heart. And that was everything to me then. Ten years later, it is my entire life. I don’t make money, but my word, I leave my studio happier every day than I have ever been.
What are some of the biggest highlights of your journey?
The highlights of my quilting career – there are three. First are the 292 quilts I curated from 245 people for the South African Voices in Cloth programme and hearing the stories of these incredible women. The second is winning a prize at the UK Festival of Quilts in 2023. And, lastly,it is the deep, profound joy I have every time I design something new and it comes to life.
What keeps you motivated in your work?
The creativity inspires me every day, even when an idea does not work. That creativity gives my heart a freedom it never had before, and that has brought me deep joy.
For those who might not know about your YouTube channel, “Quilt Along with John", what can you tell them and what are some of the things they can take from it?
I started my YouTube channel to promote quilting. Most quilters are older and they know and see the mindful and creative benefits from it. But I wanted to try and promote it to people of all ages, so my channel has stories of quilters, podcasts, tutorials, and just loads of fun stuff to enjoy.
Through your artistry, you have also revealed your compassionate side, e.g., your collaborative quilt project inspired by a member who lost a younger son to cancer. What do such projects mean to you?
Any collaboration, like the 81 Sunsets and the South African Voices in Cloth programme, is always going to have to be about the work. It’s going to be the stories that are behind the pieces. And while I get the donations of the quilts, it’s my job as the curator to only have the stories of these makers and the pieces speak for themselves. In the 81 Sunsets series, I wish I had done the oral side of their stories as I have for the South African Voices in Cloth series because these additional parts make the journey even more inspiring and uplifting. But each series I am lucky enough to create brings new lessons to learn. The next series is already on the way.
What pearls of wisdom would you offer those who aspire to do the same thing?
I turned my passion into a job, a life, my everything. And that has many more benefits than cons, mainly because each day I am happy when I am creating. So my pearl of wisdom is simple: find joy, find life, and find something that you smile about every time you think about it because at the end of the day, your job will replace you. We tend to focus more on work than pleasure in our day-to-day lives because we are taught that. But joy and creativity change hearts. It changes souls, and it changes lives. So find yours. You will never regret it.
What can people anticipate from you going forward?
Going forward, I surprise myself with the huge ideas I have, and, frankly, I hope I never stop having them. My only goal is to share with as many people as possible the joy I have found in stitching and hope they join in too. I won’t ever stop. No matter what challenge arises, I am not going anywhere. And South Africa is my heart and soul. African dust settles in your bones, and I am so excited to bring more and more projects here to promote quilting.
Saturday Star