Painting sounds fabulous! It is fun. It is a difference process than fabric. GO FOR IT!! I think the synapsis in our brains grow when we are learning new things. I have 3 studios -- fabric, painting and glass and I love them all and I do not have to stick to one. Thank you for sayings that our art and our studios are a guilt-free zone! Giving ourselves the time of creativity no matter what it is such a gift even if it is just 20 minutes, 1 hour or 6 hours. I find that I have seasonality as far as which craft to do. I have a rhythm of art often to do with the weather outside. I also have a rhythm of the day and work in different areas, different times of the day. Praying for your continued healing and I believe that painting is just the ticket for you right now.
"You create for pleasure and like to explore a variety of things" This definitely struck a chord for me. For many, many years I felt like what I created had to be a part of a body of work that would make me a "professional", to justify all the creating. That never panned out and I finally realized that I create things because I love to make stuff; all kinds of stuff! Most of it is fiber in origin (yarn, thread, fabric, etc.) but not all of it. I like it if what I make is useful in some way, but I'm also OK if isn't. I think my attitude change is a result of getting older and being retired from working for a living. I now have more "me" time and am happy to spend it playing with all types of fiber and art supplies.
The section of your article that spoke to me the loudest was the question of sticking with one art form and devoting ourselves to that exclusively. I say "nope!!" I go along for awhile working on one art quilt or another and then notice I'm looking at the pile of ripped up magazines, newspapers, note cards that I use for collaging my little books. Sometimes the pull is so strong, I'll let the quilting go for a couple of days and collage. Other times, I work on fabric/paint collage. Some days I stay home and put new flower arrangements in the house. Or switch paintings on the walls. (My father-in-law was a painter, so we have lots to rotate) My point being.....all of this feeds my creative self. All of it!! How I see, the realizations that come with different types of viewing and using my brain in different ways to create.....it's all good. I used to believe there was something deficient within myself that I would go from one thing to the other. Now I know it's true that my creative soul needs lots of input; everything nourishes.
Good Morning Lesley! As always, you give good nutritious food (and words) for thought and consideration! Loving the word 'liminal'.
I feel certain that most every artist out there in history has worked in more than one medium. I know that I have. Pastel, collage, watercolor, oil and probably other stuff I've forgotten. I have drawers full of charcoal drawings, but to me, that is not a 'complete' medium, but one that leads to others. I use it now to do my underdrawings for my oil paintings.
I would call oil my primary medium. I just like all the things it does (except for clean up!).
My opinion is that certain mediums 'match' the personality of the creator using them. Printmaking for one thing, is an incredible process. It is, for me, tedious and long and even though I took a course in printmaking in college, I never liked it. When I paint in oils I can do
it rather quickly, seeing my plan come to life in a relatively short time. I wonder what others think of this idea?
I think you have something there with the "rather quickly" idea. Creating an art quilt can be a long process; months to a year! And sometimes, I just want to finish something. Have it done, enjoy it, be ready to move on! For several years, I've been striving to make bigger quilts. And my quilts are getting larger............but...........I don't enjoy it. I made this realization just the other day. Especially, quilting on a domestic machine with a large quilt; it hurts my back/hands and takes forever. So I asked myself "Where's the joy?" Easy answer!!
Definitly! There are many mediums I've tried that I do not have the patience for, especially what I call "hard" materials. And anything that has to be exact. I'm not cut out to be exact, I thrive on serendipity.
I like the word 'refresh' used when trying different processes and I found crossovers between artistic media: logwood, which I use for natural dyeing silk scarves, can be used in coloring kallitype photo processing.
This has touched me in a way of exactly what and where I am at in my creative journey. I have felt like I am “shucking” the past to try more. I feel I have worn out my direction of the last 12 years and need to hit the “refresh” button. Thank you for putting it into words!
I love your post and the concept of "liminal"... So much so that I recently purchased an encaustic from Bridgette Guerzon Mills called The Space In-Between because I sense being liminal as well! Also, I'm sorry you're still lingering in this space medically/physically and I hope you are more fully back at it, soon. But at a slower pace...!!! Read that again: "But at a slower pace...!!!" Take the time necessary for full healing. Heart and soul healing, not just physical.
How wonderful. Much of her work is definitely liminal. I have been taking it slowly, thank you for the kind reminder. It makes me stop and slow down when my engine wants to rev. I can't wait to see you in September.
Oh Lesley. I had to laugh. I too had to take two years of Latin in high school, made mandatory by my mother! She thought it would help me learn other languages. But I’m hopeless at those. How I wish I had those skills.
I am also a painter, but when I went to Morocco last year I studied book making with the wonderful Alex Castro Ferreira. I’ve made three books now and love the process. And recently I’ve begun to use collage. I find the back and forth between the three mediums to be stimulating and inspiring. Thank you for your post today.
Alex is an amazing woman full of enthusiasm and wonderful energy and ideas. I'm sure it was a life-changing experience. Isn't it fun to play with all of the materials and ideas?
Can I just say that I'm not sure that I agree with your description of craftspeople as those who "lock in on a product".
I'm an artisan crafter, I work in a variety of mediums and paints, inks, dyes, fabrics, papers and print, sew by hand and machine, make art clay silver jewellery, hand make and hand bind books, and I can assure you that my crafting is very messy! That is not only a definition of an artist.
In my experience (I'm 75 and have worked in crafts virtually all my life), the crafters I know are experimental, adventurous, eager to try new things/methods, and the majority are certainly not just locked in on a product, process, or type of work. I teach others, sell my work, and really don't like to define myself as either an artist or a crafter, but am reasonably happy with the definition of artisan crafter.
One of the issues that has arisen where I live is that some of the "artists" in the community, often those who are amateur artists, seem to think that they are the only true artists, and that crafters are a lesser breed with fewer talents. This hasn't been my experience in life, both living here and elsewhere in the UK, I have met many talented crafters who have great vision and are very diverse in their work.
Lesley, I guess you can say that I'm a strayer, I never want to stop learning or experimenting with my art work, whatever medium I choose to use for it.
Congratulations on 75! Isn't it wonderful that we can make our own music and follow our own creative song. I'd say it's dancing rather than straying. 😁
Thank you Lesley, isn't it just! I've got a new workshop with everything all together - well, everything I can fit in! - and I'm having a great time being able to create whatever I feel like without having to clear stuff away, or just have 1' square to put my plate on to eat! Yes, definitely dancing!
I envy you. I've been working on making my workshop/studio work for me but got sidetracked with the flu. Slow and steady, I continue to make it happen. Dance on!
Well, it's never actually going to be finished! I keep rearranging, still more to do, but at least I know which area things are in now for each of the myriad of interests that I have - which keep increasing!
I have been sidetracked lately by a horrid bug that seems to have been going round here, and I know just how you've been feeling, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Some days are better than others, but you'll get there and life will return to normal! I will dance on, I don't think I know any other way!
Painting sounds fabulous! It is fun. It is a difference process than fabric. GO FOR IT!! I think the synapsis in our brains grow when we are learning new things. I have 3 studios -- fabric, painting and glass and I love them all and I do not have to stick to one. Thank you for sayings that our art and our studios are a guilt-free zone! Giving ourselves the time of creativity no matter what it is such a gift even if it is just 20 minutes, 1 hour or 6 hours. I find that I have seasonality as far as which craft to do. I have a rhythm of art often to do with the weather outside. I also have a rhythm of the day and work in different areas, different times of the day. Praying for your continued healing and I believe that painting is just the ticket for you right now.
Thank you, Jenny. I agree that seasonal rhythm is a thing. I wrote a blog post on it back in 2013. I think I will repost it here on Substack.
"You create for pleasure and like to explore a variety of things" This definitely struck a chord for me. For many, many years I felt like what I created had to be a part of a body of work that would make me a "professional", to justify all the creating. That never panned out and I finally realized that I create things because I love to make stuff; all kinds of stuff! Most of it is fiber in origin (yarn, thread, fabric, etc.) but not all of it. I like it if what I make is useful in some way, but I'm also OK if isn't. I think my attitude change is a result of getting older and being retired from working for a living. I now have more "me" time and am happy to spend it playing with all types of fiber and art supplies.
The blessings of getting older! It's the making that keeps us young and interested in life.
The section of your article that spoke to me the loudest was the question of sticking with one art form and devoting ourselves to that exclusively. I say "nope!!" I go along for awhile working on one art quilt or another and then notice I'm looking at the pile of ripped up magazines, newspapers, note cards that I use for collaging my little books. Sometimes the pull is so strong, I'll let the quilting go for a couple of days and collage. Other times, I work on fabric/paint collage. Some days I stay home and put new flower arrangements in the house. Or switch paintings on the walls. (My father-in-law was a painter, so we have lots to rotate) My point being.....all of this feeds my creative self. All of it!! How I see, the realizations that come with different types of viewing and using my brain in different ways to create.....it's all good. I used to believe there was something deficient within myself that I would go from one thing to the other. Now I know it's true that my creative soul needs lots of input; everything nourishes.
It's good to hear you are following your heart. Not everyone is fearless enough. Go for it!
Good Morning Lesley! As always, you give good nutritious food (and words) for thought and consideration! Loving the word 'liminal'.
I feel certain that most every artist out there in history has worked in more than one medium. I know that I have. Pastel, collage, watercolor, oil and probably other stuff I've forgotten. I have drawers full of charcoal drawings, but to me, that is not a 'complete' medium, but one that leads to others. I use it now to do my underdrawings for my oil paintings.
I would call oil my primary medium. I just like all the things it does (except for clean up!).
My opinion is that certain mediums 'match' the personality of the creator using them. Printmaking for one thing, is an incredible process. It is, for me, tedious and long and even though I took a course in printmaking in college, I never liked it. When I paint in oils I can do
it rather quickly, seeing my plan come to life in a relatively short time. I wonder what others think of this idea?
I think you have something there with the "rather quickly" idea. Creating an art quilt can be a long process; months to a year! And sometimes, I just want to finish something. Have it done, enjoy it, be ready to move on! For several years, I've been striving to make bigger quilts. And my quilts are getting larger............but...........I don't enjoy it. I made this realization just the other day. Especially, quilting on a domestic machine with a large quilt; it hurts my back/hands and takes forever. So I asked myself "Where's the joy?" Easy answer!!
Ditto!
Definitly! There are many mediums I've tried that I do not have the patience for, especially what I call "hard" materials. And anything that has to be exact. I'm not cut out to be exact, I thrive on serendipity.
I like the word 'refresh' used when trying different processes and I found crossovers between artistic media: logwood, which I use for natural dyeing silk scarves, can be used in coloring kallitype photo processing.
That's a good way to describe it. I love it when things cross over.
This has touched me in a way of exactly what and where I am at in my creative journey. I have felt like I am “shucking” the past to try more. I feel I have worn out my direction of the last 12 years and need to hit the “refresh” button. Thank you for putting it into words!
I love your post and the concept of "liminal"... So much so that I recently purchased an encaustic from Bridgette Guerzon Mills called The Space In-Between because I sense being liminal as well! Also, I'm sorry you're still lingering in this space medically/physically and I hope you are more fully back at it, soon. But at a slower pace...!!! Read that again: "But at a slower pace...!!!" Take the time necessary for full healing. Heart and soul healing, not just physical.
How wonderful. Much of her work is definitely liminal. I have been taking it slowly, thank you for the kind reminder. It makes me stop and slow down when my engine wants to rev. I can't wait to see you in September.
Oh Lesley. I had to laugh. I too had to take two years of Latin in high school, made mandatory by my mother! She thought it would help me learn other languages. But I’m hopeless at those. How I wish I had those skills.
I am also a painter, but when I went to Morocco last year I studied book making with the wonderful Alex Castro Ferreira. I’ve made three books now and love the process. And recently I’ve begun to use collage. I find the back and forth between the three mediums to be stimulating and inspiring. Thank you for your post today.
Alex is an amazing woman full of enthusiasm and wonderful energy and ideas. I'm sure it was a life-changing experience. Isn't it fun to play with all of the materials and ideas?
Love this...I think artists that never explore new media and lock in on a product become craftspeopole. Art is messy.
Different strokes for different folks, right?
Can I just say that I'm not sure that I agree with your description of craftspeople as those who "lock in on a product".
I'm an artisan crafter, I work in a variety of mediums and paints, inks, dyes, fabrics, papers and print, sew by hand and machine, make art clay silver jewellery, hand make and hand bind books, and I can assure you that my crafting is very messy! That is not only a definition of an artist.
In my experience (I'm 75 and have worked in crafts virtually all my life), the crafters I know are experimental, adventurous, eager to try new things/methods, and the majority are certainly not just locked in on a product, process, or type of work. I teach others, sell my work, and really don't like to define myself as either an artist or a crafter, but am reasonably happy with the definition of artisan crafter.
One of the issues that has arisen where I live is that some of the "artists" in the community, often those who are amateur artists, seem to think that they are the only true artists, and that crafters are a lesser breed with fewer talents. This hasn't been my experience in life, both living here and elsewhere in the UK, I have met many talented crafters who have great vision and are very diverse in their work.
Lesley, I guess you can say that I'm a strayer, I never want to stop learning or experimenting with my art work, whatever medium I choose to use for it.
Congratulations on 75! Isn't it wonderful that we can make our own music and follow our own creative song. I'd say it's dancing rather than straying. 😁
Thank you Lesley, isn't it just! I've got a new workshop with everything all together - well, everything I can fit in! - and I'm having a great time being able to create whatever I feel like without having to clear stuff away, or just have 1' square to put my plate on to eat! Yes, definitely dancing!
I envy you. I've been working on making my workshop/studio work for me but got sidetracked with the flu. Slow and steady, I continue to make it happen. Dance on!
Well, it's never actually going to be finished! I keep rearranging, still more to do, but at least I know which area things are in now for each of the myriad of interests that I have - which keep increasing!
I have been sidetracked lately by a horrid bug that seems to have been going round here, and I know just how you've been feeling, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Some days are better than others, but you'll get there and life will return to normal! I will dance on, I don't think I know any other way!