As promised, I thought I would show you where I am at the moment in my task that I spoke about last post. I chose three mediums- polymer clay, wire and fabric and have made my “crude” piece and the one that is a couple steps up from crude. (Still working on the “elegant” (hopefully) piece, so that one I’ll show when finished.)
Even tho the “crude” piece feels slapped together, there is still something free and spontaneous that I like. The next piece- even tho I put more time and thought into it- feels a little too planned and stilted.
So finding that balace between spontaneous and stilted is the goal for me. I’d like the third piece to have thoughtful decision-making involved, yet still have a sense of vitality!
I met with two friends a couple days ago. We started discussing sophisticated design. First of all I am now looking for a new word, as I don’t like the official definition! I encourage you to look it up- the word does not capture what I am trying to define. Perhaps ” natural elegance” is it? Hmmmnnnn…. obviously I still have alot of thinking to do on this.
But the best part of our get-together – we gave each other “tasks” to do before our next rendezvous. And I am excited to work on mine.
Task number one is to play with scale. I have some 8×10″ work that I LOVE to make but do not know how to market yet. Janet encouraged me to play with scale and do one either very large or very small. I think this might help me think outside the box on who the audience is for these pieces.
Task number two- Emily asked me to make “something” (using three different mediums)- one that I would define as “crude”, one in the middle and one that I would define as “elegant’. I’ll let you know next week how it goes!
I’m stuck right now in trying to solve a problem with a new brooch idea. The design feels very unsophisticated (I’m not even sure this is the word I want to use)and doesn’t feel solved or “right”.
In conferring with friends and fellow artists, they asked me to define what a sophisticated design means to me. This has been hard for me to do. I know it when I see it but what are the qualitles that I see in a piece that make me think-”ah -a sophisticated design”. Here’s my intial thoughts:
- It is refined- even if there are rough unfinished parts
- There is something unpredictable about the design- unusual technique, materials, use of materials
- Thoughtfulness- any part of the design has been thought out and decided on-no lazy decisions
- Pieces are edited- the piece is not necessarily spare or minimalist but again thoughtful design decisions have been made
Next post I’ll share a few more thoughts and ways to “get there”! I’d like to hear your ideas too.
Before I continue with thoughts on studio routines and “deepening” art ideas, I would like to invite you to join me in Santa Fe for BeadFest Santa Fe. This is an event that has been held in Santa Fe for years- formerly Bead Expo. The classes and BeadFest marketplace are a delight, not to mention the shops, galleries, landscapes and architecture all waiting to fill you with inspiration. Truly it is the Land of Enchantment.
I’ll be there for the Meet the Teachers reception on Thurday night March 12th and then will be teaching two workshops on Sat March 14- Shimmering Rattle Beads and Sunday March 15th-Tribal Rattle Bead Necklace. Please go here to get more info. You can click on the workshop tab or the instructor tab to get full details. I’d love to share the workshop with you!
I was inspired by the links on the New Years Day post on Polymer Clay Daily and decided on a word for 2009.
My word is To Deepen- well I guess that is two words but I wanted to choose a verb.
For me putting ideas into action is something that is very important. I don’t really “get” things until I understand how to apply the ideas to my life in an active way.
The same thing in making art, I don’t really understand techniques or most importantly concepts until I can do something/make something with my hands.
So for 2009 I would like To Deepen all aspects of my life: my art, my relationships with family and friends, my ties to community, my love of teaching and sharing, and to deeply appreciate all that 2009 has to offer.
Next post, some thoughts on deepening art-making.
As promised, I thought I would show you where I am at the moment in my task that I spoke about last post. I chose three mediums- polymer clay, wire and fabric and have made my “crude” piece and the one that is a couple steps up from crude. (Still working on the “elegant” (hopefully) piece, so that one I’ll show when finished.)
