Being an Artist – Page 22

Are you listening?

Sometimes talking to people about your plans and goals helps solidify them. It’s easy to think about what you want to do; dream a little. But, I often find that I don’t feel solid about my plans. Should I really be doing this or that? It’s difficult to place a finger on the right answer. Then, I talk to someone about it all. I say the words out loud and it’s like, Bam!, “why the heck didn’t I see that?” I know what I was thinking, but it didn’t seem like solid advice until I said it out loud.

I have a few friends that get me thinking like this. When we have our talk therapy sessions, they ask just the right questions which force me to give them a self-motivating answer. They’re not telling me what to do, however, by answering their question I have to stop, think and rationalize my response. My answer forces me to be accountable, because the response isn’t just in my head anymore…it’s been expressed in the spoken word. I’ve placed it into the universe for others to see.

Last week I was faced with this situation. My friend asked, “what are you trying to get from traveling this path as an artist?” or in other words, “why am I pursing being an artist?”

I’m sure, depending on the person, this questions could be answered in many different ways. I know I like making art; I always have. I don’t really expect to get rich selling my work. I feel the need to make it, but why? I surely have thought about it before, but no one ever really asked me before. “Why are you doing this?”

I could have taken a lot of time to ponder the question, but what surprised me was how quickly I answered. I told her “I want to be heard.” The answer bubbled out of me in a way that took my breath away. That’s it! I have something to say. My artwork is no longer art for art’s sake, there are messages behind it.

As I am working in my studio, preparing for the November exhibit, I have stories in my head. I visualize these narratives and take time to render the image using cloth. This is what drives me to continue, I want to share stories with you…are you listening?

Stay tuned

Last week I mentioned that I had been working on a few pieces that were experimental play, where I could focus on a specific technique and work out the bugs. I have another one to show you.

Awhile back, I posted sketches for a quilt I was planning to make (see the story here). I took the sketches and used them as templates to make fabric birds. Although the fabric birds have been done for awhile, I was hesitant to move forward with my idea. I have never thread painted birds and I wasn’t sure how that would work out. If I composed the design on a large (finished-sized) background and then did my thread work, I would be in a world of hurt if I messed things up (that dreaded point of no return again). I was intimidated to move forward until I finally figured out how to get past this hurdle. Then I got an idea…

I am involved in a monthly mixed-media art exchange with 10 other artists. The intent is for each of us to create a book of artwork. We each submitted guidelines on what we wanted for our books, e.g., theme and page size/orientation. The challenge coordinator gave us a schedule of who we will be creating a book page for each month. Then, every month for ten months, I create a piece for someone and someone creates a piece for me. It’s fun!

For May, my artist had a theme of “birds,” size 8″x10″, and vertical orientation. Ah-Ha! Since my birds were the right size, I could test my thread painting technique on Leni’s page. Yep, I used this small quilt to help me gain confidence to proceed with the larger quilt.

I am pleased with the results. Currently, I’m auditioning backgrounds for the large quilt where 7 happy Carolina Parakeets will be hanging out. Things won’t be exactly the same on the larger quilt, but testing the technique allowed me to know what will and won’t work on a larger scale. Stay tuned…

It’s a win-win process

I’m trying to get into the swing of things. In some respects, it seems like I’m just playing around. The last couple of weeks I’ve been working on smaller pieces that had other purposes. I have to keep reminding myself that I’m not wasting time.

A friend of mine told me how she always made a smaller version of her work before she tackled the bigger quilts. For most of my projects, the components can get very small, even on a large scale art quilt. I couldn’t imagine rendering the image down smaller than they already are. The pieces would just be too teeny to work with.

The pieces I’ve “played” with the last couple weeks are like technique snapshots. I am experimenting with different techniques to see how the process would work on a larger scale. Happily, I have had several “ah-ha” moments.

It’s always kind of scary to make art using cloth. In the early stages of development, you can rip things out and start over. But, as you add more and more layers of fabrics and thread, the point of no return becomes really obvious. Painters can scrap an entire canvas by slapping a coat of gesso on it, then start over. Textile artists don’t have that luxury, the materials are usually lost. If we’re lucky they can be re-purposed, but frequently they’re only worthy of the trash. Starting over is also risky because you may not have any more of the precious “sky” fabric that worked so well the first round. We must do every thing we can to avoid disaster, because there’s no going back.

That’s why, testing out a technique is important. If I can get a technique down on a small project, it makes my attempts on the big project more likely to succeed.

Last week, I explained one experiment I had with the Cameo Silhouette. While working through that process, I created a piece called “Crepe Myrtles” (click here to read about the process). I sent it to SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates — www.saqa.com ) this week to use for their annual benefit auction (fyi- you’ll be able to bid on it this fall). You see, I wasn’t wasting time. I was learning and exercising my creative muscles. And in the end, it’s a win-win process for me, SAQA and maybe you if you plan to bid on it.

Tools in my toolbox

Last year I was working on an art quilt that required a lot of intricate cutting (you can see it on my home page – www.nanettesewz.com ). I couldn’t find scissors sharp enough to make the tiny cuts, so it took a long time to remove all the unwanted fabric. Before I could even cut the fabric, I had to draw the design onto paper and then trace it to my cloth. Tedious, to say the least. I was talking (actually kind of whining about it) to the owner at my LQS and he told me about the Cameo Silhouette.

The Silhouette is a plotter similar to what engineers use, but a home version made for crafters. It allows me to send a line drawing from my computer into the plotter. From there the machine can “draw” the lines for me. The lines can be made using a variety of tools from pens, embossers, or cutting blades. I bought the machine for its cutting possibilities.

My first attempts at cutting didn’t go well and I was quite frustrated. I knew I needed a significant amount of time to figure things out, but couldn’t find the time to devote to it. Over a year after buying the machine, I found time this week. Following a couple of hours of fiddling with the computer software, my fabric and cutting blades, I finally figured out my major issues: 1) use the correct fusible stabilizer and 2) use a sharp cutting blade!!! Magic!

Just to prove the point that it would work for me, I’m remaking the quilt that got me started on this mission. In the photos you’ll see the tiny little cuts that were made by my Silhouette as it outlined the lines of my tree branch drawing onto my batik fabric. When the machine was finished tracing the lines using the cutting blade, all I had to do was remove the unwanted pieces of fabric. Amazing! I’m pretty excited about this. Just one more tool in my toolbox.

Wow! I’ve been away for awhile. My last post was to announce the new year and here it is April already. There’s been a lot of emotion in my life the past few months. Laughter, tears, joy and at times anger. I’ve been on a hiatus of sorts, not completely a path of my own journey, but a journey none-the-less. My entire life has been a journey.

Last week, I attended the SAQA (Studio Art Quilts Alliance) Conference in Philadelphia. I needed this trip. That’s why I’m back writing to you. I guess I forgot what I was doing. Life got in the way. I forgot how important it was for me to pursue my art and to share it with you.

Things sometimes happen that way. You need to be around like-minded people to remind you of what’s important and to re-direct you when you’re feeling lost. I returned from the trip with some amazing ideas for my future.

Then today I found a hawk feather while walking the dogs. This was a really unusual find on such a frequently traveled path. I researched the symbolism of such a find and read this:

“When you find feathers upon your path it could be taken to mean that you are on a higher spiritual path (whether you accept it or not), and it may be a sign of encouragement as you philosophically travel on this path.” – (Source: symbolic-meanings.com)

I’m willing to accept this destiny. I think it fits where I am in life. Looking back and moving forward. I’m anticipating some amazing things in my future.

I look forward to sharing my journey with you once again.

Nanette

This New Quilt

Well hello there 2016!

Sometimes it’s unbelievable how time flies. Occasionally, I’m reminded of things that happened in the past and I’m frequently baffled how long ago that event happened. I guess that’s what happens when you get older. Time flies faster.

At the beginning of the year, I try to come up with new goals. Not really resolutions, but just ideas of things I want to accomplish. My biggest goal this year is to create enough artwork for the exhibit I’m in this coming November. I have some pieces, but I need quite a bit more.

The entire concept of creating enough to fill a gallery is a bit intimidating. Its also very inspiring. I have a ton of ideas buzzing in my head. Some things are similar to what I’ve done in the past, but I’m also thinking about some innovative ideas like 3-dimensional construction. This could get interesting.

The last 2 months I was working on a large piece and decided that it would be better left for when I own my new mid-arm machine. The new machine can handle the bulk of a larger quilt better than the machine I currently have. I’ve placed this large quilt on temporary hold and am working on ideas for smaller quilts.

The last few days I’ve been creating outline drawings for my next piece. I’ll use the drawings as templates to render my little feathered friends in fabric. I could just hand draw the images, but I like to create them in Adobe Illustrator. It takes a bit of effort to get them into the program, but I find the end results easier to use. I can take a couple of base images and alter them easily in Illustrator. If the originals don’t work, a little tweak here or there and I have an entirely new character. This is helpful when I’m making a piece with multiple components of the same thing. Working for over a decade as a web/graphic designer has offered me the tools and confidence to work this way. Without the aid of the computer, I would be drawing and re-drawing my images to get the look that I want. That’s just not something I’m excited about doing.

I have ideas for several bird quilts I want to make this year, but this will be my first attempt creating them. We’ll see how this one turns out. The end result might alter my ambition for the year, fingers crossed it works out as well as I envision.

By the way, I’m curious, when you look at my line drawings, can you tell what specific bird species I’m featuring in this new quilt?

Happy New Year

Every year at this time, I reflect on what I’ve accomplished and where I’m heading. The new year is a good time to do this type of inventory, because there’s a virtual line between old and new. Say goodbye to the old and hello to the new, so to speak. In reality time is just one continual blur, so any date could be used as a reflection point. Deliberately or not, I always tend to reflect more at this time of year.

Looking back, I really did a lot this past year. I produced 2 art exhibits, entered several shows, and applied for and received a grant. I spent a lot of time last year helping others on their journey. I’ve learned a lot.

This year, it’s time to work on me. It’s time to put the energy into my own artwork as I get ready for an exhibit in November 2016. I realize I’m easily distracted [dutifully noted, as I just spent 2 hours working on my website]. I find it easy to help other people, but find avoidance in my own productivity. This is going to change this coming year. I’ve been clearing my plate of many things so that I can find more studio time.

One thing that I’ve been doing the last couple months is search for creative inspiration. Every day, I try to look for and photograph things that inspire me. I tend to find the most beauty in the natural world. I enjoy seeing the color pallets that naturally occur around me. The form, structure, and design created in nature is pretty amazing too.

When I can’t be in the studio, these photographic essays are a way for me to entertain my creative sprite. They also inspire me with ideas for my art. I’m not sure how all the images fit, but having them in my “library” will prove to be a great resource when they’re needed.

It will be interesting to see how this next year advances. Right now, I don’t have many hard core plans yet, but that’s what January is form…thinking and dreaming about what I’ll make of 2016. As always, I’m looking forward to a new year and I hope you are too!

Happy New Year!

No Guarantees

The end of the year is almost here. There was one last thing I promised to do before the end of the year. I’ve been kind of quiet about it, because you just never know what will happen. Although people cheer me on…after the fact… that they knew I would get this or do that, there is always the realist in me who whispers…”don’t get cocky.” There are never guarantees in life, especially when you put yourself in competition with people. I’m sure some enter a competition and say to themselves, “I got this!” But personally, I think that sets me up for major disappointment when I don’t win.

My personal philosophy is to keep a low profile. I don’t make a big deal about any competition I enter, because I understand that as much as I may want to be accepted…there are no guarantees, no matter how much my friends and family tell me they believe in me.

This year, I submitted entries into 4 different shows. Entering shows is a competition. Everyone who enters is competing for the few slots available in the exhibit space. Each of us believe we are worthy of acceptance, otherwise we wouldn’t be entering. But there again, no guarantees. At year’s end, I’m ranking 2 for 4; a 50% success rate.

Right now, I’m trying to work on a large piece, but my procrastination has been high. I really haven’t been excited about finishing it, life is getting in my way. I wanted to enter it for consideration into a call for entry that opens in January. But, it just has been plunking along with little progress. I’m lacking motivation. I even considered backing out of my exhibit this November. I just wasn’t sure how I could make enough pieces. Sigh…self doubt can strangle you.

And then this past Saturday, I received a plain manilla envelope in the mail…more junk mail? I opened it with curiosity and then, seeing the contents, I immediately lost my breath.

You see, from the start of this year, I had planned to enter another competition. A very selfish competition. I was required to write a proposal and share a dream. I had to pull-together supporting documentation and get letters of recommendations. I attended meetings to learn more about the process and asked questions from people who believed in me. I applied for a grant and have been waiting for the news since October.

This past Saturday, in the plain little envelope where the words which today inspire me to keep going. I received full funding for a Regional Artist Grant. I’ve learned since then the very few people get full funding for this highly competitive “selfish” grant; I was only one of 2 who received full funding this year.

I call it selfish, because it’s all about the recipient. As an artist, we get to dream big and ask for money to fulfill that dream. My dream is to own an industrial-style sewing machine that will allow me to more accurately and proficiently stitch larger quilts. Thanks to the Arts Council and my tenacity to apply for this grant, in 2016 I will own one of these machines. Wow! I’m excited!

My artwork will improve because of this machine. But until then, the large quilt I was procrastinating about will go on hold so I can do it right on this new machine. And, until then, I will place my focus on making smaller pieces on my domestic machine.

Sometimes I think destiny dictates how my art is suppose to happen. When I get upset with my progress, or lack there of, I have to remember to step back and just accept what’s happening. I’ve always believed the pieces I make speak to me; some times I forget to listen. As in this case, I think my swampy quilt knew what was coming.

I like not knowing the outcome, because when things happen that I don’t expect I’m overjoyed. Life’s fun that way. I like having no guarantees.