Getting into the studio is the single most important step for me and sometimes (not always, but
more than I would like) it is the hardest for me. As I approach the new year I would really really really like to establish a habit of a good studio routine.
Let’s first talk about getting into the studio. Sometimes I need to psych myself out.
One of the ways that works for me is to leave something simple unfinished from the day before. Something that is easy to do and doesn’t require any great creative thought BUT most importantly gets my hands working. For instance- putting earring findings on jewelry or pinning pins onto display cards.
Another idea is to choose a simple object- a bowl, teacup, small knicknack- and draw this object upon first getting into the studio. Just a 10 minute simple line drawing. Put the object in a different setting each time you draw it- on the shelf, on the windowsill, next to your light. This again gets your hands working and your creative juices going.
Lets meet back here in a few days to chat about our 2009 reflection list!
Greetings to you all and best wishes for a grand holiday time. I’m looking forward to a brief hibernation time to reflect on this past year and reflect on what I hope 2009 will bring.
I try to write on Jan 1st every year, not a resolution list, but a “reflection” list about what I hope the new year will bring.
Let’s share some of these thoughts-I’d love to hear some of yours!
For me, a good studio routine is a must. I’ll share some ideas of how to do that in the next post. For now, you might want to pick up the Jan/Feb issue of PolymerCAFE magazine- I have a Creative Sparks article there with some easy exercises and alot of pics to help inspire you!
It’s been a good retreat here in New Mexico but time to leave. I’ve actually hit a block in my new work anyway so the timing is good. (I’m off to FL to visit family for a couple weeks).
Altho I’m stymied at the moment as to why/where/what to do next I’m for once not feeling too panicked-( well maybe just a wee bit). I think it’s because I am feeling good about the overall theme and excited about the big journey, that I can accept hitting this road bump.
When I get home I’ll share some of the new pieces and try to explain further where I am right now and what the problems are. And maybe it will get sorted out a bit during the next two weeks-while I have no studio time- just thinking time!
It’s been beautiful weather here in New Mexico- mild and sunny. That makes it harder to stay put in the studio when the blue skies and unique scenery call. But I have been plugging away at new work and feel re-ignited about the direction I am going. I’ll share some of that journey shortly.
I’ve been relearning how to work slowly. That’s not always possible I know well (deadlines, inventory needs, workshop samples due) but what a great gift to be able to let things simmer while I slowly contemplate the options.
I want to thank my lovely friend and computer guru Cynthia for helping me upgrade and make my website better. Check out the revised galleries and Flickr link. I’ll be adding new work and new France pics on the site and on my Flickr page soon.
Published on
November 15, 2008 in
Fibers.
I am in New Mexico on retreat. Working on some new art ideas and enjoying the community of fellow artists. The area is so very inspiring for color palette choices and imagery. The history of this area captivates my imagination and fills my mind with pictures.
We are about 20 minutes south of Taos and right along the Rio Grande River. Its great to finally have some experimenting and exploring creative time with no pressure to do it “right” I’ll share with you some of the fruits of my cretaive labor soon-ish.
For right now I’ll leave you with another southwest picture!
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Published on
October 31, 2008 in
Fibers.
I’m off tomorrow to New Mexico and I hope what will be the start of new work that I have been dreaming and brainstorming about since the summer. I’ll be posting from there and will share with you what’s happening!
I’ve got my new large journal with me to record my ideas, thoughts, sketches, goals, successes and failures.
I’ve done a few pages in preparation for the trip. It’s been a good way for me to spark my creativity which has been dormant for awhile. As I work on the page, I get excited about making my ideas and sketches concrete.
Published on
October 21, 2008 in
Fibers.
A big Thank you to all who attended the Creative Sparks Master Class with Alison Lee and myself last night. The time just flew by and I had a most wonderful time with all of you!
For those that couldn’t make it, there will be information at www.craftcast.com on how to get a copy of the class. I think you will enjoy the “sparkers” and they can become a part of your creative/studio life. Here’s pic of my Chaos Cards- one of the ways to help your mistakes become fuel for your projects.
I “sparked” my own self finally a week ago or so and cracked open my new big white blank scary journal- and it is a LARGE one- 10″ x 12″- and christened it with pages of thoughts and sketches of new work I will start next month. I seem to have a fear of working large so decided to begin with a large journal, instead of my usual purse-sized journal. I’ll share some pics next post.
Published on
September 28, 2008 in
Fibers.
I’m excited to be part of the CraftCast Master Workshop series created and hosted by Alison Lee. 
On October 20th I’ll be giving a class on Creative Sparks and I can guarantee we’ll have alot of fun along with good converstaion and ideas and techniques that you can use in your art life.
Please join us! Here’s the link to read more: www.craftcast.com/masterclass.html
I’ll have alot of ideas to share with you on some “tricks” to getting yourself in that studio when you either don’t feel like it OR you have the desire but not the focus (my problem at the moment). Alison has a geat post on her site www.craftcast.com with other topics we’ll be focusing on.
For me- this week is about cracking open and facing the scary white page of a LARGE new sketchbook I bought to document a new creative journey I am about to embark on. This new work is the result of alot of thinking, thinking, thinking I did this summer about what I want to be making. I hope to share the journey with you over the coming year!
Published on
September 20, 2008 in
Fibers.
There is a wonderful new book in the 500 series: 500 Handmade Books : Inspiring Interpretations of a Timeless Form.
The pictures of books made from every conceivable material are truly inspiring. I haven’t yet had time to sit and savor every page slowly but I see that several book artists using polymer clay (including myself) have work pictured- check it out- its filled with great ideas!
Published on
September 12, 2008 in
Fibers.
It’s good to be home but I am already dreaming and planning for the workshops in France in July 2009. I’ve just posted the 2009 info and hope you will consider joining me in the future. Its a very special part of France and I would love to share it with you!
I had many weeks there without a studio to work in- while we were camping etc.- but I did do a daily sketch of something that I saw that struck me design or art-wise and it was a good discipline. This small sketchbook has provided me with not only a great remembrance of what I saw and did, but a possible resource for new work. I’ll keep you posted on that. Anxious to get back to making things as soon as I crawl out from under the pile of mail etc.
more than I would like) it is the hardest for me. As I approach the new year I would really really really like to establish a habit of a good studio routine. 
