i've been pondering over the subject of this new venture. sketching ideas. entertaining the possibilities. unfortunately, this is where i usually find myself going astray. possibilities are limitless. a world without limitation may as well be a vacuum for the mind boggles and quits the task at hand in favor of watching ants toiling away at leaves...or any other simple scene that will take away the enormity of choices presented to it. to this end, i have chosen a buddha as my subject for this first large piece. it seemed fitting as the primary smaller piece i've been continuing with is the modern thangka, mind flowers (here).
it has been easy for me to observe my own tendency to become stricken with fear whenever i begin a new project. first there is the spark of inspiration. a moment that is filled with promise and joy and wonder! this, naturally, is my favorite moment in creating art. next is the exploration of the idea. here is where i begin to get bogged down. sometimes even abandon all hope of ever manifesting my original thought. but when i am able to muddle my way through this stage, the road begins to open once again and space is created for the inspiration to manifest. of course, this is an oversimplification for there are many other pitfalls along the way: boredom, overthinking, derailment by other ideas, etc. i think i have come through that first hurdle with this particular project...
i have decided upon the blue sketch in the middle. i would love to say that there were cheers from the peanut gallery, or more grandly, symphonic strains of violins in the clouds, heralding a miraculous choice... and perhaps there were, somewhere in my imagination. but in a more consensual reality, i decided that i liked the simplicity of line and the quiet mood of the sketch. i know there is nothing spectacularly different about this sketch...but i want to be able to explore the foundation of this piece and allow the personality of salvaged cloth to define this element. to not lose the character of the cloth to the subject, so to speak.
now to begin burrowing through cloth and thread. here is the second pitfall to which i alluded. unfortunately, i have seemingly limitless choices in this department as well...and so i must keep my wits about me and make definitive choices so as not to get lost in the sea of salvaged cloth in my studio. ha!
namaste'
She is very peaceful. I was just saying to my guy that more and more I'm feeling like there is just too much and that the whole 'motor home' idea, as a space to live, is looking pretty good! I know you are speaking of creative expressions and choices...but I believe there is just too many choices in everything and that it DOes bog us down, makes it too hard to make a decision. Of course in the creative realm, those choices also involve the heart! Don't forget to breathe as you consider and choose :)
ReplyDeleteyes. i've thought this way for some time and have spent many hours looking into the tiny home concept. tumbleweeds has plans (and builds to order) tiny homes on wheels. the best of both worlds. a tiny house. on wheels. looks like a stick built home. but can travel!
DeleteCheering is coming from this peanut gallery!
ReplyDeleteI understand...boy do I understand.
And decisions on material choices are so tough. When I get to that stage usually a stray piece of fabric catches my eye and whooosh off I go on another idea or piece! Stay focused!
thanks, penny. yes. stay focused. that is the trick, isn't it? it can be very difficult at times. at others, not so much. of late, it's been very difficult for me.
DeleteLove your choice of the Buddha! Lovely.
ReplyDeleteI think deep down we all want to simplify somehow. I have also looked into tumbleweed homes...so tiny cute, but talk about zen living. (What would you do with all those fabulous sewing machines?) It certainly makes one pick and choose what is most important.
I know that overwhelmed feeling because I have it a lot and the guilt too from not hurrying up to finish a project, however, I stop and remind myself I have to work at a job that takes me away from home for 40+ hours a week and I have children that demand my time and at the end of the day, honestly there is not much left for me. So, I do the best I can. Perhaps if you begin this project and hang it on a wall to be a visual reminder this could help?
the question of what would i do with all my fabulous sewing machines (looms, wheels, etc., etc.) is what has kept me from building a tiny home, no matter how attractive the idea may be... maybe some day...
Deleteyes...i, too, must remember that i work 70+ hours a week (no, that was *not* a typo)...
i like your visual reminder idea. thank you!
For a moment there I thought you were disappearing into a "vacuum for ... Mind Boggles" which sounds like interesting territory - I wonder where Mind Boggles live normally, when they're not trying to suck you into their vacuum ..... perhaps the Territory of Toes ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe blue sketch looks lovely, simple and with a real feeling of contemplation. Look forward to seeing which cloth speaks to you best
roflmao! i think i shall have to contemplate the realm of mind boggles! (giggle...snort)
Deletethank you for your observations on the blue sketch, too. i am also looking forward to seeing which bits of cloth whispers most deeply... they are beginning to come together. perhaps later this week we shall begin to see the seeds of manifestation?