They Tell Me to Calm Down

The internal chaos of those grappling with generalized anxiety disorder is often misunderstood. Anxiety is not a choice, and managing it often requires professional support, coping strategies, and time. This piece is a testament to the frustration born from the dismissive exhortation to “just calm down” and a plea to replace judgment with compassion and empathy.

Materials: Commercial cotton, monopoly thread, wool/rayon batting, cotton batik backing
Techniques: Improvisational piecing, machine quilting
Size: 39″h x 36″w

Exhibit history:
SAQA Virtual Gallery “Conversations in Mad Matters” 2024
Weber Gallery, Ocala Florida, “Threading the Needle” 2025
Houston International Quilt Show, Now: Contemporary Art Quilts of Today(SAQA Global Exhibition) 2025