Jump Starting Creativity

Playing around with fabric is the best way for me to jump start my creativity.  I always feel like first part of January represents a new white canvas, clean slate and/or fresh start.  I agonize over the impending holidays because I know I must put things away and tidy up my studio as I know I will be doing other things.  This has pluses and minuses.  On the plus side it is always good to tidy up and see the surface of my big work table uncluttered.  The drawback is starting up again.  The engine is cold and takes a few attempts to get it started.  This phase is not pleasant and can span over longer unpredictable time than I wish.   This is also a dangerous time because I can easily start to doubt myself.

The scenario goes a bit like this:  a question and answer period with mostly questions.  I start looking in bins, pulling random things out to examine.  Mostly things that are incomplete.  Several will spark interest but can soon lead to dead ends.  After all, those things were put away for a reason, they usually had problems that I couldn’t resolve.  I put them away thinking that some day I will have new ideas and will lead to new great solutions!  But, alas, this isn’t always the case.  With my engine sputtering, I trudge along a bumpy road trying to find a new path to new scenery that will provide “aha” moments.  The various turns and road blocks are hit and miss.  Usually after a week or so, I stumble onto an open path that is totally revealing.  Finally, a new vision and reassurance that I haven’t lost “it” after all.  This is a brief window of optimism that is like being on a little ledge on a steep rock climb.  Staying there for a while to gather your wits and catch your breath before resuming; then looking up to consider the remaining distance.  After having rested on this ledge and gathering enough resolve I am prepared to resume my climb.

That is where I am today.

I have this on going struggle with control.  Finding a way to let go and allowing the creativity talk to me instead of the other way around is my challenge.  I fight with determination to conquer the fabric, paint, yarn and all the other things scattered all over my (previously clean) work table.  The frustration builds and I finally relinquish while asking myself: Why do I put myself through this agony?  When will the break through come?  Self doubt is culmination which leads to defeat.   I walk away, feeling totally down, turn out the lights   and go to bed.

The next day upon entering the studio, the lights go on and my eyes see the remnants of the calamity left untouched; however, this time I see things completely different!  Wow!  I didn’t see that contrast, composition, color transition yesterday.  How did I miss it?  And, off I go.  Completely immersed and over the hump; back in business.  The roller coaster car has gone up and over that first steep incline and now swooping down plunging into the depths of creativity.  You will not being seeing me for a while, I am enjoying the ride!

Here are the results of my first productive studio session which lasted about three days.  Some are still in progress.

size 4x5"

size 3 1/4 x 5"

This piece needed a focal point.  I added a keystone shape made from another piece.  That piece was made by layering several fabrics (some synthetic), stitching them together and then melting with a heat gun.

size 5x6"

size 4 x 5.5"

size 2.5 x 4"

size 4 x 5.5"

size 9 x 10"

This piece is done.  I like it.  The colors are much more intense in reality.