Monday, November 26, 2012

A Room of My Own

I am lucky to have a space to work where I can spread out my thoughts and let them play. It even has a view of the Bird Garden.
While I was experiencing that intense nesting stage last spring I spent some time rearranging it and I invested in a big table that we can fold up if we have guests and need the space.
I arranged it as a spiral.
At the heart of the spiral is the large work space where I can lay out bigger projects; then the corner computer table; a couple of file cabinets under the window; a sewing/beading table; the closet; and finally the design wall.
I like the way I can tuck into the space now.
It took me awhile to really start inhabiting it, experimenting with a daily practice gets me in here every morning, and now is creating a dynamic with the space, it is my 3-D sketch book. 
The design wall and the large table are used not just as work surfaces, I find myself making arrangements, dioramas, alters, displays...
Little ideas and experiments sort of set up house near one another.
Post it notes with small sketches settle like leaves here and there.
Some of the itinerant stones wander about. 
When I start feeling stuck I spend some time rearranging.
Putting things into different contexts, and sorting them physically gives them new voices or perhaps just starts some new conversations.
I've begun using trays to group things
Raw ideas:
  Finished thoughts:
 What is next...




Sunday, November 25, 2012

Evolution

 
I follow Carol Anne over at Threads Across the Web
I am captivated by how she carefully forms these beautiful embroideries
She is commited to perfecting her craft
 something I aspire to but is also a bit of a wrestling match for me
and she dedicates a little time each  morning to that practice
something I am trying to do these days
Daily work
It adds up
makes mental leaps happen
 


Connect the dot
Connect the thought




Sunday, November 18, 2012

Moustaches


 Auditions were held, nine were needed and found.


They seemed to want a little something extra.


Moustaches, or whiskers!


They seem to be playing a sort of game, but the rules are obscure.
 

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Beginning


The commission is delivered (they loved it).
I am taking a deep breath and starting some new pieces.
This one reminds me of an abacus.
I have a number of new ideas to explore and designs to try.
I have started getting up earlier to work on these before the day gets going.
It helps to put it first if only for a half hour.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Done


My first commission is completed.
Tomorrow I will deliver it.
I am nervous.
Perhaps that is why it took so long to finish.
                                                                          (Ya think?)
Every step of the way its teaching me something.
about value, how subjective it is
about tribes, our similarities and how we find each other
about letting the materials speak, and listening to them.
about uniqueness, we are each different
thus we are all the same again

Stuff to think on as I start the next ones.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Drifting




Getting back into the studio has been proving more challenging than I thought it would be.
I have been weathering storms, very caught up in the political battles being fought all over the country; drinking too much wine; finding new feminist literature to read; procra-nxietying on some financial chores; and a bit of a blow from Sandy. We got off very easy, no bad wind damage or flooding in my neck of the woods and only 24 hours without power.
My heart goes out to the people who got hit so much harder.


I'm feeling a bit windblown.
Soon Bri will be here for a visit and that will take precedence.
I'm having trouble reestablishing the habit, or I should say making the habit a priority.
I'm not sure if this is a moment to push or a moment to drift.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Seasons End


I finished the transplanting and cleanup on all of the gardens a couple of weeks back. Many plants have been shifted from other parts of the yard to the new beds. I concentrated on woody perennials, evergreens and grasses. Those will form the backbone of the plantings and next year I will work on filling in with perennial flowers.
Now I can get back into the studio...