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I most often start with an image in my head that's been rumbling around for awhile & is not well thought out with an execution plan. Where the image comes from initally can vary greatly--and people often ask me that exact quesiton: where did you come up with that idea? (please note that where you put the emphasis in that sentence can remarkably change the message!) Good or bad--the initial idea never seems to be my limitation; get the can opener & look inside. There are a million in there waiting to jump out ("me next..."). It can be a composite of other art pieces I've seen, an amazingly lucky or exciting combination of color & texture that I want to experiment with, a message or 'statement' that I want to convey, a new technique that I want to master, whatever.
The true beauty in having the idea begin to come alive is that it does, in fact, come to life--at least for me. Compared to those that have the whole project plotted, drawn & measured out, I have a very loose drawing--sometimes only a few sketched lines to remind me of the idea--and then I just start. As the project begins to unfold & begin it's life, it begins to transform the original idea--taking you deeper into the possibilities & challenges with each step & decision along the way. Your initial impulse is to fight the new waves of ideas & possibilities ('that wasn't how I was thinking it would be'). But I'm finding that each time now I'm better prepared for the journey into & back out of a project: stay open to the options, don't be so restricted to the original 'picture' in my mind, listen to what is unfolding--not what was. In the end, the project is ALWAYS better for the variation & change that occurs if I stay open to it. It becomes something stronger than I ever envisioned & before I truly engaged in the process. ("yes, Grasshopper, your reed grows stronger when it bends in the wind rather than fighting to stand straight!")
The only way this 'loosen up and go with the flow' approach works is to have a way to watch your work unfold--a place you can come & go. Get some distance, get right into it.
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4 comments:
Thanks go out to all of the 'cyber kings' in my life for assist offered with the image posting snarl I experienced. I'm thinking that the upgrade last night was the most help--but as Devin sez: just wait!
I'm loving the visuals. When you get a moment, could you describe the quilts in the photos?
The first pix is several items going at the same time--like several paragraphs started but unfinished. Mostly there are these 'zen' peace banners; kind of hanging scrolls; they're fun.
The second pix is a house-warming quilt for a friend; it's most definitely in a 'rough' form, but is heading to a final format. The newly (being built) house has many water colors plus wood, copper petinas, etc. The project will be a race: before or after the move in date 8-)
beautiful. very you.
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