Blog~Lifeweaving, A Creative Journey

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Playing @…In the Studio!

After posting about goals, discouragement, and motivation, I want to keep you posted of my time in the studio–playing @ with new ideas, experimenting with different methods, and a push to create, create, create.…

Here is a finished wall-hanging that is a gift for someone special:

Coffee Anyone?
"Coffee Anyone?"

I liked the style and colors of these squares that were found at a favorite quilt shop…The three were joined together with sashing and gold corner squares. After layering with a backing and batting, I quilted in-the-ditch around and with-in each block, and then used free-motion quilting to add motifs in the gold squares and sign my name & the date. Then, threadpainting was used to highlight the steam, whipped cream, and a few other details…

I’m centering and attaching this small art quilt by the top corners to an stretched canvas. It is Sea Images #1, which usually hangs in my husband’s office.  This will give it a stage of sorts and more presence in the room as visual art.

Sea Images #1, (c)2006 Joni Beach.
Sea Images #1, (c)2006 Joni Beach.

Also, Lifeweaving #3 is coming along!–Layering the backing and batting and then basting the strips in place…more to come soon on that.

*FYI!!  A great book for creative motivation is Make Your Creative Dreams Real: A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People Who Would Really Rather Sleep All Day, by SARK… For Fun & Inspiration visit her at www.planetsark.com.

~Hope you are enjoying your time this week as you strive towards your goals–don’t forget to have fun with the process!~

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Goals…Discouragement or Motivation?

One of the most difficult things for me to deal with is to fail to meet a goal. Not particularly when I procrastinate and run out of time, or begin but never finish, but whenever I put all of my time and energy into a project, finish it, but fail to get the results I had expected and hoped for. Being a bit of a perfectionist in some things, I usually expect that if I work on something hard enough it will be a success, so when it doesn’t, I have a problem!

Many times in the studio I become discouraged for this reason. In working toward my artistic goals, I often must remind myself of the importance in finding a balance between the artistic expression of an idea and certain end goals, such as entering exhibits and selling pieces. While professional artists engage in many tasks related to running a business, the skills are not always taught in colleges and must be acquired after graduation on their own. So, at times discouragement and self-doubt creeps in and hinders creative and professional development.

Backing Lifeweaving #3
A Studio Goal: Lifeweavings #3, Quilt the Top, Finish Details and Photograph...Enter Into a Juried Exhibit.

As my week begins there are previous projects to finish and new tasks to begin. I plan to turn on music (instrumental, no vocals), focus, and quilt Lifeweaving #3. For awhile I need to push myself to create many art pieces of various sizes, experiment with techniques, and play around with ideas–with less concern about the end goals. Some research shows that this approach results in more creative outcomes than working very slowly on only a few pieces. Perhaps it frees the creative, right-brain processes or just allows for a break and new motivation to continue.

Though disappointing at times, I need to continue working and realize that perhaps not all goals are meant to be met…

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New Beginnings, Renewed Hope

Why is it the beginning of things, such as a new week, a new notebook, or a new school year, can serve to bring us renewed hope? Has life really changed or is it our expectations and attitudes that change? Instead of feeling hopeless and in a rut, do we think of possibilities and believe that new opportunities can occur?

Blog Post
Studio Goal #1: Posting a New Blog Article...

I actually believe it is some of both…while the differences in the new maybe small, the resulting new actions and activities can make a huge difference in our outcomes. For example, with the new week we may reassess our goals and schedules, organize our workspace, and proceed in a different manner, thus achieving different accomplishments. 

Layering Wall Hanging
Studio Goal #2: Layering and Quilting This Wall-hanging...

With a new notebook, looking at a clean, unmarked page of paper may provide an uncluttered space to write down our thinking, thus providing clarity to our confusion. With a new school semester, being around a new group of people, having a new teacher to guide our learning, and considering new subjects and activities may give us new experiences and, thus gaining new confidence that comes from testing our ability to learn new skills.

So beginning this new week with new goals and new expectations, there is renewed hope that the work I do will be of value and the time spent will have new possibilities, results and opportunities…

Backing Lifeweaving #3
Studio Goal #3: Adding the Backing Fabric to Lifeweavings #3, Quilt the Top, and Finish Details and Photographing...Hoping to Enter This Into a Juried Exhibit This Fall.


*What new beginnings help you in your work, life, and/or creative process?