Then and Now
Welcome to this week in the studio where old ideas found their footing in the creation of new work; materials and supplies were purchased; the local library gave me the final inspiration I needed to break through my mental block.
Then
In February 2020, I sent out THIS NEWSLETTER with a section titled “The Beginning of a Journey” which unwittingly placed me on a new exploratory path in mixed media work, starting with my “Cellular Thoughts” series of paintings.
Nearly two years later, I feel like I finally fully understand my intentions with this concept and the knowledge required to make it happen. And while the original vision of my art has been modified several times, in several different sketchbooks, the concept remains beating in my heart - a story filled with connection, hope, perseverance, love, and a call to action (which I hope will become apparent in the final telling of this art journey).
The Beginning of a Journey
I am working toward [creating new art] about the connections we have in our lives and how these connections weave through us and the world at large. I expect to take at least a year or more to get to what I will call "Phase 1" of this concept, and I expect the path to be meandering yet diligently moving forward… Where I want to go with my work has caused me to take on new challenges, rethink my methods, and has created an upheaval to my normal work routines that is both frustrating and, at times, rewarding… I hope you enjoy the process at work as my latest art story slowly unfolds!
~ February 2020 Studio Newsletter
Now
Having my vision of the finished pieces constantly shifting prolonged my progress further than I imagined, but here I am, two years later, ready to take on “Phase 1” - a signature sculptural piece incorporating all the main elements I plan to use.
Several elements (such as the unfinished one below showcasing its progress from left to right) will be stitched together to form a single free-form sculptural piece. In the far right image, mossy green stitches are starting to weave their way up the leaf-shaped element. Once these are complete, cold wax will be added to portions of the cloth and a canvas backing will be applied for support. Additional elements will then be created and stitched together with this element.
Ghostlike figures representing our unknown future in various possible states will appear within the larger sculptural designs. Materials are being chosen to provide a connection to various aspects of history, both personal and universal, in their visual construction and in their intended uses.
Phase 2: Create several coordinated wall pieces to hang free-form.
Phase 3: Create a full-room multi-media installation.
Even though I figured out how I want to layer the processes I’m using, I’m still thinking about my materials - both ones I have laying about my studio and new materials I have on order - and have some receipts to show it!
Month to Date material purchases (and expenses)
The many hats of a small business owner: Purchasing & Bookkeeping. Here’s a list of this month’s purchases and receipts as a little insight into my professional artist life.
MTD Materials Purchases
Linen Canvas, Cold Wax, and Stretcher Bars: $81
Fiber & Embroidery Thread: $26
Other Expenses
Advertising: $69
Product Samples: $13
Office Expenses: $10
Professional Subscriptions: $52
Web Hosting Services: $130
Software Subscriptions: $60
Thankfully, expenses have been pretty minimal this month now that I’m not gearing up for holiday sales and with no new in-person shows planned until Spring. I may need a few more graphite and charcoal sticks, micron pens, and cheesecloth (or similar material) to keep my going, but other than that, I should have plenty of materials to keep myself occupied for a couple of months.
Inspiration
Finally - a little bit about inspiration. I have a few basic knit, crochet and embroidery books in my personal library, collected over the years. And while I find them quite useful when I want to remember how to create a particular stitch, they are too fundamental to provide the inspirational push I needed. It was upon a chance outing to our local library (picking up a new book for my evening reading - Mexican Gothic being my current choice), that I stumbled upon The Art of Embroidery by Francoise Tellier-Loumagne. This impressively dense book showcases pages and pages of interesting textures, surfaces, and stitches giving me a breathtaking view into a free-form garden of fiber art creations and inspirations. I began to see the truly open-ended nature of this art form and it gave me the confidence to embrace it as a part of my own art-making process.
I suppose what I am trying to convey here is: keep your eyes open. Creative possibilities are all around us. What you need to move you along your creative journey may just be right in front of you. If not today, then maybe tomorrow, or maybe even a couple of years down the road. In the meantime - keep playing, creating, and learning and stay open to the world ahead - it is out there waiting for you to be ready and open to the rest of your journey.
Creatively yours,
~ Jennifer