Greetings! This has been a good week....productive on many fronts. As is so often the case, the creative process itself, when it is truly flowing, will allow the simple solutions to all manner of conundrums to bubble up to the surface. I've been wrestling for quite some time with the daily practice, as many of you know. Because I am someone who loves a routine and a rhythm to my day, I love having a daily practice that takes place in the studio. Before the holidays, I shifted gears in my daily practice and began a series of small 2x2" collages that were private....that is, they weren't meant for my Etsy shop and they weren't for sale anywhere. I've continued that practice into the new year, but the question of the MissouriBendMusings shop still hung in the air. I toyed with closing the shop, but I've met so many people through the shop and through the daily practice....so many people had written to me over the year to let me know that the practice had given them inspiration in some way. What more can any artist ask, except to touch people? I decided that, not only could I not let it go, I didn't want to let it go. So....how to incorporate a second daily practice that would end up in the marketplace, but one that would not require too much investment in time and energy in the "marketing" end. Somewhere in the process of working this week, I saw the practice as one of small works (these are 4"x4") in ink and wash. Another important aspect of the daily practice is that it should be one that allows for a sense of discovery, that the process of making becomes a vehicle for my own explorations. I think I have it....here is the first week of January....you can find them all at MissouriBendMusings.
January 1, 2013
January 2, 2013
January 3, 2013
January 4, 2013
January 5, 2013
January 6, 2013
January 7, 2013
I also found myself returning to book pages....one of my favorite themes and formats. This piece reminds me of a long lost diary page....
This is made on Japanese paper coated in beeswax....the pseudo handwriting is all hand embroidered.....fragments of earlier ink drawings are also hand stitched to the paper. Hard to capture the nuances og the warm, buttery yellow Japanese paper....it looks worn and aged...lost and found.
My weekend is Sunday and Monday, so tomorrow I go back to work at the Library....when I return here I'll tell you about the Absence series. Hope you have a great week ahead....cheers!
Your diary made me think of all the letters Dean and I wrote when he was at sea - and of the letters Megan and Andrew will write. We just learned he will be deployed to Afghanistan in May for 9 months, with training to start in March; a major kink in his PhD studies since he had planned on being in Germany and Poland doing research next year.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, today's quilt, which I'm just getting ready to post, owes its origin to you -thank you, Patti!
And I love the ink wash pieces and what you wrote, "Another important aspect of the daily practice is that it should be one that allows for a sense of discovery, that the process of making becomes a vehicle for my own explorations." Might I share that in my class this week?
Karen Anne....I do imagine that Andrew and Megan will be writing letters! That's quite a switch in his plans....hope all goes well and he will be able to resume his PhD studies afterwards, I'm off to go look at today's quilt....I must say your daily practice is always an inspiration to me!! So glad you like the new ink washes....we'll see where it takes me. I find that there is a lot of freedom and room for exploration when are some boundaries and restrictions....4x4" isn't so very big, after all. By all means, feel free to share the quote (or anything else!) in the class....can't wait to hear about it....have fun with everyone! Cheers!
Deleteso so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love your daily drawings, there is a spirit in it, very strong.
Interessting the meaning of a daily practice like you tell us.
x Stefanie
Hello Stefanie....thank you so much! Very nice to know you see strength and also find meaning in reading about my daily practice. Hope your year is going well....thanks for taking time to comment! Best, Patti
DeleteHow wonderful to see this new year filled with creativity for you. I love it that you are able to 'do it on your own terms' - working from spirit instead of pure physical drive. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteHi Penny...thanks for your delightful comment! Hope you are having a fine start to the year...best wishes for making your creative dreams come true this year!
DeleteBeautiful rhythm!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you!
Happy New Year Carole....wonderful to hear from you! Thank you for the nice compliment! Cheers!
DeleteA new year and new directions Patti - and a daily practise too! I love the book page - can't help myself, they are just so evocative. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Fiona...oh, how well I know you are drawn to book pages! So glad you like them. Hope your year is starting off with a creative burst! Cheers to you and Barry!
DeleteThese are wonderful. In so many ways we seem to be on the same track. Trying new things is always inspiring.
ReplyDeleteHi Annie....hope you are also enjoying a creative time in 2013. Yes, it is invigorating and inspiring to shake things up a bit and try something new! Cheers!
DeleteLove the watercolour marks Patti. You are going to have fun with that. I have just had friends staying from Sydney and they were absolutely delighted with all those beautiful pieces of yours I have. They chuckled when I said I had bought many to give away as presents and then couldn't bear to part with them!!
ReplyDeleteSusan, thank you! I'm honored that you love those pieces so much that you can't give them away....I know how it is! Hope your year has started off nicely! Cheers!
DeleteThe pseudo-writing is fascinating. Not so long ago I wrote an essay on when drawing becomes writing (or vice versa) - it led me down unexpected paths. And the topic continues to wander in and out of mind...
ReplyDelete