6.2.13

Daily Artwork


I think one of the hardest things about being an artist is to actually go to the studio and make stuff.  It is especially true if you work in your home because there is always a distraction, laundry, dinner, a book, and I could go on and on.  At the end of the week I sometimes realize I haven't been in my studio much at all...no wonder artwork isn't piling up!  Quite a few years ago a friend suggested that I do a small piece everyday, something that would take less than five minutes.  I have done this off and on for several years and it really helps for the times when I am feeling less than creative and as a place to begin everyday I am in the studio.


 Here's how it works.  Decide on materials you want to work with and an image you'd like to repeat or a way to work with the materials.  Keep it small and simple.  Get the materials ready for several days or weeks so that when you go to the studio you pull out your materials and get right to it.  


If this seems a little vague, it is. Here is what I am doing right now and that might help you to figure out how you would use this technique.  I chose to work with rectangles of black fabric torn to about 3 x 4 inches, a smaller piece of muslin torn to various sizes and red thread.  Every day I layer the two fabrics in a way that seems interesting to me and then make a mark using stitching with the red thread.  I have decided to leave all of the threads hanging from the torn fabric as a sort of record of the process.  Literally, this takes me less than five minutes a day.  I now have a nice pile of these pieces.  I find that often how I am feeling or what is going on comes through in these very small pieces of work, making a record of my days. 


Let me know if you decide to try this or if you want to try but need more clarification.  I'm always willing to help.  Don't be stopped if ripped fabric isn't your ideal material.  Use paper, clay, metal or whatever speaks to you.  Make a collage, put a dot on the paper, draw a leaf.  Experiment within the medium and images that you choose.  The point is, get to your studio and make stuff!!!!


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi, Susan, with each stitching and finishing project I have I take the scraps, threads, etc and put them in a paper lunch sack, then into a shoe box. Every time I need a kick start, I select one of the bags and play. This has been a big help.

Your blog is very inspirational, that helps, too!!!!!

Threads of Inspiration said...

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I love, love, love your idea of putting the scraps, etc in a paper bag. Not only will it be inspirational when you open the bag but you also have a quick easy way to clear out the finished project but not have to make decisions about whether a scrap is too small to keep. Just put it in the bag! My studio is pretty small so any projects left out really get in the way quickly.

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

Thank you...simple advice ...small steps each and every day. Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart