you gotta start somewhere!

“start where you are.

use what you have.

do what you can.”

–arthur ashe.

it is interesting how one can subscribe to the idea of using what we have, and yet still feel compelled to go out and find more. more things to buy (or, in some cases, hoard). more things to do. more things to see. 

i can certainly see that in myself. whenever i start a new creative venture or take a new direction in my art, i rush out and begin a new collection of supplies and inspirations, be they physical, mental or social. the immense collections of previous artistic directions get boxed and set aside after a quick sort through for immediate applications and then, frequently, sadly forgotten until they overflow their space and begin to look for new homes...or new uses.

for example...i've been a quilter for far too many years than i care to admit...and a fiber artist for far too many more. most recently, as i've moved more and more into recycle mode in my art, i've gone out and scavenged the countryside for luscious vintage fabrics, garments, castoffs and found fibers. but what about the sewing room filled to overflowing with more current (within the past five or so years) purchases of quilting fabrics? batiks. prints. calicos. plaids. you name it, i've got it. and tons of it!! wouldn't you think i'd look to these first? but, noooo! i've got to dash out and acquire someone else's collection of rags and tatters to create my "recycled" art with. (sigh) what a sad, sorry commentary. there is something quite backasswards here...

and so, in the spirit of starting where i am and using what i have, i am looking at my studio remodel in a whole different light! add to this the myriad of directions into which i am currently stretched professionally, socially, and artistically, and you have quite the recipe for potential disaster...or great chaos from which may emerge wonderful creativity! (i personally am vying for the latter!)  so i have devoted at least 30 minutes every day toward creating space. clearing what i have. sorting. assembling. organizing. sending what needs no longer to reside here, elsewhere. finding new homes for everything...be they in my own home or someone else's.

then, i am pledging to devote at least 30 minutes of each day toward actually creating! it seems like it's been a while since i have done this as i seem to get caught up in the space and time management game. but my spirit is starving for its creative outlet and i have little choice but to give it its own space to thrive.


perhaps these will be the threadcrumbs that will eventally lead me out of this forest of chaos...


namaste'

derailed at every step

it's always strange when the tides of life rise up and abruptly sweep aside one's plans and aspirations...

shortly after beginning the remodel on my studio, two co-workers announced their immediate resignations due to school and other forces at work, and so i've been pitching in and working entirely too many hours... which, of course, has all but precluded any work in the studio. not that this has had all negative attributes, however...

i have been pushed into looking more closely at my work and my aspirations thereto.  i have been shown a myriad of internal sabotaging ideas and thoughts.  fears of success...and failure.  unfounded personal views about myself.  my work.  it's crazy how these sorts of negative ideas can seep up into the fabric of your life, often without your even noticing until it is too late and they have woven themselves into everything that you do. so i am working on eradicating, or at least minimizing, these thoughts and ideas... seeking a more balanced view of myself and my work...

i have also discovered...or rather, realized, that i have little focus in my work at the moment. generally, i do not consider this a problem as i enjoy exploring avenues of creativity whenever they present themselves. but i am beginning to feel like i need to find at least one focus i can anchor the rest of my work upon. a theme. an idea. something.... i'm not entirely certain what this will be. i will be exploring some possibilities here in the coming weeks.  meanwhile, i am applying myself to some of my many works in progress and will be seeking guidance from their quiet whispers...

perhaps the quiet hum of daily thread-chanting will whisper some direction? one can only remain open the possibilities...

to this end, i think i shall be listening more and talking less for a while...though i shall be more present here on my blog. more than likely there will be more pictures and less words? only time will tell...

namaste'

re-organization...re-construction

i've packed things up for a few days or so while i begin the re-organization and re-construction of my studio space. keeping a couple small cloths out for idle moments, but the bulk has been packed away until the studio space is finished. i'm filled with excitement about the possibilities for this small space! snaps to come soon!