The Journey – Page 17

Shoot for the moon

I’m working on some plans. There’s a check list of things to do. This year I really need to make a difference on how I approach my life and art. It’s somewhat scary to set out to rattle the cage, but that’s what I feel I need to do this year.

I’ve been living my life inside a bubble, but now it’s time to move outside that comfort zone. Someone recently advised me to focus on what gives me “fire in my belly.” Boy, do I understand that concept. Do you understand? It’s a feeling that something has ignited in your gut and there’s nothing that will stop you. Staying so focused requires a lot of energy. It’s easier to settle into the normal rut and lose motivation.

I want to prove a point this year, so my focus needs to remain fired up. I don’t want to lose momentum. I need to shoot for the moon.

All the things you love

“Tournesol” (means turns with the sun) by Nanette S. Zeller

Only a few more days until the new year is here. Its all coming together — the holidays, the new year, and my fast approaching birthday. I spend a lot of time this time of year reflecting, but I’ve also stepped back and took a break these last couple months. I’m finding myself feeling anxious to get started in my studio again. I haven’t seen my studio very much the last 2 weeks and I think my sewing machines miss me. Well, at least, I’m missing them. We have a home improvement project planned for the rest of the week, so the machines will have to remain on vacation a few more days. Hang on 2017, we’re almost there.

This coming year, I really want to get focused on a number of things with my art career and keep the machines humming. I know my biggest struggle is time. I guess we all have that issue because our lives are so full; family, friends, work, hobbies, staying connected, managing the household, paying the bills…it all takes time.

I’ll keep it short today and wish you happy new year. Thank you for following me on my journey and, in this upcoming new year, I hope you find time for all the things you love.

Kindness and no regrets

And the count-down is on. A week from Friday my exhibit opens at Campbell House Galleries. This week I’m wrapping up the final details: framing the last few pieces, installing new hanging slats to the large pieces, and adding labels to the newer pieces. Once this is completed, I will be photographing all the quilts.

This has been a very interesting process for me. I’ve always said that I love to learn…I thrive on learning… and I’ve learned a lot about myself this year. Preparing for this exhibit has reminded me to keep moving forward. I know I will continue to grow as an artist and I’ve already thought of ways to improve some things. Yet, there are a number of things I still haven’t figured out. Therefore, I will continue to learn and that’s what makes everything so enjoyable for me.

Any free time I’ve had this summer was devoted to studio time. So I didn’t have time for some of the opportunities I’ve been considering. Once this exhibit is hung, I will take a short break to re-energize, then I’ll be tackling the many ideas I have in my head. What I’ve learned during this process is to always keep moving forward. Sometimes that can be as simple as just putting one foot then the other. Moving forward also requires having the strength to only look back with kindness and no regrets.

Join me for:

“Paper, Canvas, Cloth”
November 4 – December 17, 2016
Campbell House Galleries, Southern Pines, NC
featuring the work of
Sharon Ferguson, Marilyn Vendemia, & Nanette S. Zeller

One quilt at a time

I often refer to my life as a journey. I know I keep moving forward. I keep changing. And, I definitely keep experiencing new things. As I’ve been working on my art this past few months, I feel like everything I’ve ever done is coming full circle. Well, actually it’s a spiral or mobeius. My life starts on one end and I keep coming back to the same intersection. In reality, I’m slightly misaligned from the last time I crossed that point. There’s too much that has happened, so I am someone different than the last time I was here.

But why does it feel like I’ve gone full circle?

When I was a small child, I played outside a lot. I loved discovering new things. I picked flowers, dug in the dirt, played with earthworms and hugged a few trees. I loved animals. I used to have a slip of paper that I wrote in grade school which read “When I grow up I want to be a conservationist.” I have no idea how I knew that word, maybe it was from the countless hours I spent reading Ranger Rick magazine. I pursued that dream for many years and eventually earned a Master’s degree in wildlife biology.

Then life happened. I needed to work and found gainful employment in IT at the peak of the dot.com era. When that bubble burst, I started exploring art and found employment editing books. During these years, I almost completely walked away from my childhood interest of conservation. My art “sometimes” had environmental components, but it never had a real meaning. I just made things because I wanted to make them.

I’ve realized the environmental theme has been more evident in my art these last few years. I have a story in my head & heart that I want to share. I mentally visualize the things that mean so much to me. I remember the forests, the plants, and the birds. I think of the earth as a whole and how we’re destroying it. I want you to see the beauty. I am back in my youth, full circle almost, but with a different age and understanding of the complexities of it all. I’m picking flowers and dreaming big about how I will save the world one quilt at a time.

Join me for:

“Paper, Canvas, Cloth”
November 4 – December 17, 2016
Campbell House Galleries, Southern Pines, NC
featuring the work of
Sharon Ferguson, Marilyn Vendemia, & Nanette S. Zeller

Self-doubt

Being an artist can be a very isolating. I spend a lot of time alone in my studio, especially now, as I prepare for my November exhibit. I’m down to crunch time and all I’m thinking about is getting things done. I feel like I’m running out of time. I need to be in the studio more. And I wonder, how will I accomplish all of this? I take comfort that it’s all going to be OK. So I breathe. I know I’m not alone, many artists face the same angst. It’s par for the course.

As an emerging artist, there’s also this underlying insecurity. What will people think? I think my work looks OK, but I’m very biased. It’s like saying your baby is the cutest. And “everybody” thinks their baby is the cutest.

I’ve realized, I’m in a different place right now. My ideas are coming from deep in my soul. It’s a life-long journey coming together and expressing itself in fabric. My art has purpose to me…I’m no longer making it just because. I have stories behind each piece. I’m moving forward. The isolation is there and the angst, but I do my best to ignore it. I’m not going to let the negative speak defeat me.

A few months ago, I made a decision to let go of something that I was deeply invested in. As I walked away from that activity, I was reminded of a call-for-entry deadline that was fast approaching. A friend of mine frequently reminds me that we never get accepted if we don’t apply. So, I pulled my stuff together and, with a kiss on the cheek, I sent in the application. Of course, I hoped for the best, but would be OK with any decision they made.

Today, I received a phone call from out of the blue. An affirmation. They are impressed with my work. I’ve been offered a solo show in a public art gallery. I had a choice of 2 dates, so I picked one. I’m going big, so I’ll need the time. September 2018. As one door closes, another opens.

Having an affirmation like this is a kick in the pants that says don’t give up. Keep trying. There’s no room for self-doubt.

Trust me, it’s big

I feel like I’m moving like molasses in January. I have been putting a lot of hours into the quilt hanging on my design wall, titled “Knock, Knock. Who’s There?” This quilt is huge, that’s half my battle. When I make a quilt I usually create the background fabric much larger than I need it. That’s why I can’t tell you how big it will be. I’m guessing somewhere around 40″ wide x 60″ tall.

The other aspect of what I’m doing … that takes time … is all the layering. I create one layer, work to get it right and then it’s time for the next layer. What I posted last week was 2 layers, I made the trees and added some shading. The shading was done with Shiva Paintsticks (which is oil paint in stick form). It takes a 24 hours for the paint to cure and become permanent.

This week, I added some tulle to create the waterline on the trees and some highlights to the swampy water. Today I securely stitched down the trees and tulle to my batting layer. This took a few hours. The birds are yet another layer to this quilt, because I had to stitch down the trees before I could add them. Last week I made the birds and today they are now glued forever to the quilt.

Progress? yes. Molasses in January? Most definitely.

I’m getting closer to the part I enjoy most, the machine quilting and thread painting. I have to add some more details to this monster (more layers) and then it will be ready for the long arm machine. Yay, it’s getting there! Just in baby steps. Once the quilting is finished I’ll be able to cut it down to size and let you know how big it really is. Right now trust me, it’s big.

Making Progress

I‘m still trying to make progress on the Carolina Parakeet piece. Unfortunately, I’ve had some interference with my time, but I’m doing my best to keep focused. I thought for sure this quilt would be done right now. So close…yet far enough away that I feel a bit frustrated.

I was talking to a friend this morning and reminded her that she was indeed making progress on something she was working on. The progress was just taking longer than she expected. —Ah, just another validation that talking out loud sometimes solidifies your own thoughts. — I too must remember I am making progress.

I’m happy where this is art quilt is going. I’m sharing a comparison photo that clearly shows I’m getting somewhere. The birds and branches are all detailed and I’m working on filling in the background with quilting. This is taking time, however…

The good news is that I’m creating dense quilting. Something I’ve wanted to do in the past, but just struggled doing on my domestic sewing machine. My Sweet16 sewing machine, with its sweet 16″ neck opeing, is making my work so much easier. I can sew and sew and sew and sew without having to re-adjust the bulky quilt so frequently. Makes me very happy.

The bad news is I’ve developed a muscular strain in my back and neck which is causing me great discomfort sitting. I’m working on resolving the issue, but I’m still limited to just short runs at the machine. Again, the key is patience, I am making progress.

Great Things

Now that I’ve released myself of a lot of responsibility, there’s silence, a lot of it. I can hear the computer humming.

Starting this week, my focus is on making my art career work. There’s plenty to consider, namely how do you make money? Make art and make money – is this an oxymoron?

I’ve met a lot of artists in my life. Most of us struggle with the financial side of the job. I know a couple who have succees. Many pick up side jobs; barista, sales clerk, etc. For a majority their art is the side job, juggling a full-time job and creating whenever time is available.

The mantra is you have to put in the time. There are a lot of things to consider, but my plan is to put in the time this summer. I guess the reason I volunteer so much is that it’s easier to do tasks which are clear and direct. It’s someone else’s vision, not mine. Sure, I have some clear ideas of what I need to do, but it can be overwhelming to think about specific tasks that need to get done. The ideas are clear but the path isn’t always very direct. I feel like those inflatable dancing advertisements, bending and swaying, moving up and down. It’s mesmerizing, but I need to look away and show up. Once I’m there, I stand still, refocus, then start. The magic will happen.

So, it’s time for me to get to work. I’m looking forward to showing you some great things.

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

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!