Creativity – Page 11

June 16, 2011June 22, 2011

Thursday In the Studio—“Slowly but Surely”

My progress in the studio this week is going “slowly but surely”…There were some other obligations that had to be taken care of in the past few days and my studio work was on hold. The top of the wall hanging, Above Dark Clouds, has been pieced. Today I am finishing the appliqué, adding a backing, and then will use quilt lines to add visual texture and dimension to the piece.

The inspiration for this piece came years ago when I was flying cross-country to a health center with a family member. I would marvel at the sunshine and brilliant, clear, cobalt blue sky at 40, 000 feet, above the gray clouds, rain, and turbulence—it became a reminder for me. Looking down, away from the everyday challenges like work, life, and traffic—it all seemed so much smaller than when I was on the ground. In life there are times of stormy weather—with dark clouds. Sometimes it is difficult for me to remember that no matter what, there is always sunshine and a brilliant bright blue sky above it all…To finish this 12” art quilt a sleeve and label will be added.

New work is being begun on another 12” wall hanging–it is only in the idea stage.

After creating a couple of pieces, I need to decide which art quilt to donate to the SAQA Benefit Auction..., and since time is running very close to the deadline, it must be mailed very soon!

Among other works in progress is the Lifeweaving #3 piece–the silver strips that represent the late adult life stage (ages 60-mid 80s) are being woven.

The next step is to baste the weaving together and layer the top, batting, and a backing.

Then, there is Transitions #2: Blue Moods waiting to be quilted…

I once heard someone say that creative people usually have more than one project they work on at a time, so maybe all of these unfinished pieces are not a bad thing! But, I guess it is time to put away the camera, turn off the computer, and get busy in the studio… where progress is going “slowly but surely”!

*Do you ever seem to procrastinate, finding anything to do other than begin working? Do you think this serves some purpose!?

Time – Linear or Circular? (jonibeach.com)
Motivation! (jonibeach.com)

June 14, 2011June 17, 2011

Observing the World…From a Log Bench

Viewing on-line photo tours of other people’s travels provides me with an amazing suitcase-free, passport-free, ticket-free way to see the world. The traveler’s blog usually includes views of local artisans making their sculptures, fabrics, paintings, or other such craft from local materials, such as in the blog bigBang studio—Hindustan textiles, food and painting, or in Blogchucuto–Spanish mosaic tiles. Most feature the use of organic materials + the artist’s ingenuity to make a log into a sculpture, clay into a vase, or fabric into a garment. They give a glimpse of the wide variety and unique design aesthetics and motifs from cultures @ the globe.

I am still surprised by my enjoyment of items made from organic materials found close at hand. For example, my husband made me a meditation bench for along our driveway using a split log. It is not merely a natural piece of art that I appreciate, but after getting the mail I can also stop, sit, and read, pausing to take-in the woods @ me–the ferns in the shade along the stream and the sounds of nature. When walking by in a hurry, I do not always pause, observe, and listen. Walking for many years in the town where we lived, I came to know specific trees, certain flowers and plants in gardens and yards, places different groundhogs had homes, and unique views of the mountains. While riding along in a car, that is not always possible. As you walk, you are more a part of the environment vs. speeding past and through it.

So I guess today I am rambling a bit…but I’d say this article is about how people all over the world use their ingenuity (and creativity) to make works of art by using the natural materials @ them. Plus, while travelling, one can observe and take notice of the worlds @ them to gain inspiration and renewal…

Just like a trip up the driveway for the mail and back…

with a pause on a log bench.

Where do you sit to observe the world?

June 9, 2011June 15, 2011

Be Inventive!

The other day an article in our local newspaper, entitled “3 THINGS you should do today”, caught my eye. Number 2 was “Be inventive”. On May 22^nd, 1906, the Wright brother’s US patent was issued for their invention, the “Flying Machine”.

First_flight2 via Wikipedia Image Citation — First Flight, John T. Daniels via Wikipedia Commons

Reading the article made me think about how the brothers had to dream of flying, imagine what it would take to soar above the ground, and experiment with many different ideas to make it happen…The brothers’ invention of the flying machine is a perfect example of human creativity and the design process necessary to not only imagine but actually succeed in inventing something new.

Bela Banathy (1991), an educator, systems design scientist, and author, writes that we create the future by the process of designing what we can envision…This is a skill each of us are called upon to use everyday in our families, our work—as artists as well as other occupations, and the communities where we live. Our survival and quality of life is hinged upon our ability as individuals, and collectively as a society, to use our imaginations. Imagination leads to new, novel ideas and inventions that meet the challenges we and our children will face in the coming years.

Technology is one field where change is happening rapidly. The world has had to realize the changes this industry brings and envision ways its benefits can be used for the good, negating any negative effects. Living @ a research university with its questioning environment inspires me to think of the possibilities–considering new answers to complex problems. Whether it be… at home… in the studio… or in our communities…