Creativity – Page 6

December 9, 2013

Rhythms of Life

Just like in music, part of the rhythm of life includes the rests. A rest in music is the time (or times) where a silence or a pause in the active singing or playing of a note occurs.

This spring I came to a rest of sorts…I did not actually stop doing everything, but I took a break from my usual routine. It gave me time to welcome new family, take a great adventure, and travel. The rest provided me with new experiences, influences, images, and perspectives. As summer ended, I had reflected, regrouped, and was ready for new goals, projects, and a new regular routine.

As an artist, I gathered many ideas, inspirations, and influences for many new designs and goals. Everyday there is work being done in the studio to prepare for a new exhibit…(more about that later)! I am creating several new pieces, each in various stages of the creative process~~

Sketching an idea…

Piecing and composing an image…

A New Perspective, ©2013JoniBeach — A New Perspective, ©2013 Joni Beach.

Or adding details with threadpainting and quilt lines…

So the notes are being played again, the rest was in an earlier measure.

Now the music I am playing is greatly enhanced ~~such are the Rhythms of Life.

**What are your rests in the rhythm of your work and life? What gives you that forward movement towards your plans and goals?

I will be posting new art regularly on my blog and in the website gallery as pieces are finished!! Thanks for your Visit…

Listen for the silence in a song (wellnessundefined.com)
Gift # 8 – Rest (31giftsfromgod.com)

December 3, 2011December 8, 2011

In the Studio~”It’s Back to the Drawing Board!”

Post-Thanksgiving has meant renewed time in the studio this week. Yesterday when turning on my sewing machine, the light on the panel was too dim to read and I almost panicked. On no, the computer’s main board has gone out! How would the cursor and light just quit working with no warning?…Then I discovered a little button on the side of the machine that I never knew existed–after years of sewing! When it was turned, the panel immediately lit up and was visible. Wow, such relief and no more excuses…

Finally, back to the quilting of the Lifeweaving wall-hanging. After repining and smoothing the black strips, I am working my way from the middle to sides in each direction. Using a tiny zigzag stitch over the edges is working well to connect the strips and add texture to the design.

I tend to work on several pieces, in different stages of the design process, at the same time. So, another project is the yellow flower design. The inspiration for this art quilt is this photo taken in a garden this summer.

I love the colors and the pattern on the underside of this yellow bloom…Fabrics are being auditioned for the background, as well as the flower applique to be layered onto it…

At this point in the design process, colors are considered—Should they be realistic?…abstract? Also, decisions on size and scale must be made—Should I enlarge the pattern?

After a great holiday and much activity, it has been good to rest and focus in the quiet of the studio.

New goals have been set,

new inspirations have been gathered,

and it’s back to the drawing board…

Thursday In the Studio – The Final Stages… (jonibeach.com)
Thursday In the Studio…”Simple Gifts” (jonibeach.com)
Studio on the Porch~ (jonibeach.com)
Goals…Discouragement or Motivation? (jonibeach.com)

November 20, 2011December 3, 2011

In the Studio…Reorganization

It’s a wonder how reorganizing a studio space can give a different perspective and encourage creativity. I guess it gives a sense of newness, of new possibilities, or a realization that there is more than one way to do things. I have been out of my studio for a while and as things are moved back in, I am rethinking the use of each area and what it is used for.

For example, the design area now has a table that is handy to spread out fabrics, books, and sketching supplies or it is great to use as a temporary office with the laptop and a lamp.

Across the room, by the design wall is a good place for the cutting table with patterns, rulers, scissors, and the pressing station is nearby. On the other side of the design wall is the construction area with machines, reference books, threads, and notions.

Perhaps, most important to reorganizing is de-cluttering the space and rearranging books, fabrics, and tools. I’m trying to decide how to store my quilting fabrics…folded on the shelves by color?… loose in wire mesh baskets? Katie Pasquini Masopust in her book, Design Explorations for the Creative Quilter, suggests sorting fabrics by color–yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, and green–then sorting each into 7 values, in a range from lightest to darkest. This will take some more thought and experimentation to discover what works best for me…

Of course no one says a studio has to stay neat and organized! But sometimes it feels good to begin with a blank slate of sorts…In returning to the studio, I have a new commitment to the goals made earlier in the year.

I have a new perspective and am ready to work!

*Happy Thanksgiving this week to everyone!*