Behind the Scenes~Artists Working in a Series

Many times artists will create several works of art, or a series, related to the same subject or theme. This can be the result of their creative process, where an artist experiments with different materials…explores one idea in several ways, or tries out many ways to design one idea…or takes one concept and builds upon it, revising it as they work. So, there are many ways to create in the studio with no one “right” method…

Some artists work on one piece or series at a time, while others may have many projects and series being developed and created at the same time…working on several at various stages of the design process. So, it can look like this!  🙂

I currently work on a few different series, which I’d like to introduce to you one at a time. Today’s series is called, “Child’s Play”…Because for children their play is actually their work…the way they learn, develop, and understand the world around them!

In “Playtime Games” (2012), the games of children are depicted~~Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey, sparkling marbles, decorated flip-flops, the swirls of a turning top! For from the lessons learned in playing these games, they learn the lessons of life. 

“Playtime Games”, Rayon, beads, and clothespins on cotton, ©2012 Joni Beach

In “Meow, Mr. Whiskers”, saying hello in cat language is a specialty of children who know their pets well. Not only is he a cat, he is a friend who just happens to love to play with a ball of fabric yarn. And, from this they learn to better communicate and interact with other living beings…including people!

Meow, Mr. Whiskers, rayon on cotton, 7 1/4″ x 10″, © 2013 Joni Beach.

In this series, I have fun exploring ways children learn, grow, and develop through fun and games, colors and crayons, animals and bugs, friends and family, and other wild, wonderful, awe-inspiring things, using brightly colored, quirky prints, vivid colored threads, and fun found objects!

Stay tuned for more…! 🙂

(These designs are Available Now as wonderful, Open Edition Art Prints in the Art Shop.) 

 

In the Studio…

Today I added a conceptual piece~Blue Moods~ to the Transitions series in the Art Gallery. During the transitions we face in life, there are processes that people can experience as the old ways and situations give way to the new.

For example, as my children grew-up, graduated from high school, and left for college, daily life around our house changed dramatically. While some of the changes were exciting and something new to look forward to, I still experienced times of feeling a bit sad and longing for some of the earlier family times.

Transitions #2: Blue Moods, 13"x13", rayon on cotton. © 2014 Joni Beach.
Transitions #2: Blue Moods, 13″x13″, rayon on cotton. © 2014 Joni Beach.

So in Transitions #2, this piece entitled Blue Moods depicts the mixed feelings I have felt at times during transitions in life~~a bit sad, or blue, sometimes a bit angry (the color orange), but always still with hints of hope that in the end things will work out (the color yellow)…

Gradually the confusion (see Transitions #1: Confusion), the mixed feelings as depicted in Blue Moods, give way and transition into a new order and form…

our Lifeweavings.

Family Fridays~Finding Balance For the Holidays

As the holiday season has arrived, the schedule of parties, events, and celebrations are being finalized.  It can be a challenge for individuals, and those of us with families, to achieve a balance.

DSC02005ChristmasWreath60sStyle

We have to decide which activities give us a sense of enjoyment, peace, and happiness, and which demands and expectations only result in high stress and discouragement. Individuals and families can choose to follow past traditions to celebrate the joys of Christmas, or decide they need to create new ones!

Many grandparents and their adult children may face this challenge of finding a balance in expectations and plans for the holidays. Family situations are varied and change overtime. For example, some families live year-round together in the same town or general locale, while other families with grandchildren may live a long-distance away. I believe this article about family changes at About.com Grandparents discusses this topic well.

Christmas is a time of the year that most of us have many memories connected to our families and friends. Because of these memories, we may hold on to certain traditions and practices. But, as time goes by things change over our lifetimes…We can honor the good memories of the past by remembering and creating new joyful times for our present holidays.

Regardless of the schedule, may we all find a way to choose a balanced way to celebrate the holidays…and life…, which gives us a sense of renewal, peace, hope, and joy. Adding to our future…good memories of the past.

 ***Happy Holidays! *** 🙂

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