Tag: motivation

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*Signs of the Holidays*

PillowsSilk 008SAntaB

Signs of the Holidays are all @…

*It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas*

*I’d love to hear your favorite Holiday sights or activities!

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In the Studio~Vibrant Color, Silk, & Meditation

Motivation for many textile artists comes from the materials themselves. Not just the visual impact of the colors, but also the tactile experience–the feel when touching the fabric, or its hand. The hand can be anything from smooth and soft to nubby and scratchy.

I had this silk for a while and decided to make some reversible pillows–Cobalt blue on one side…

PillowsSilk 023B

and on the other, turquoise with a simple graphic design of  cobalt blue appliqued stripes.

PillowsSilk 020B

On a trip this past spring I purchased some beautiful, brightly colored, light-as-air sheer silk.  For a Christmas gift I decided to hand-roll the edge of this silk to make a scarf.

Again, the motivation first was the color and softness of the material, but as I slowly took tiny stitches to draw up the raw-edge and turn it in upon itself the act of concentration became meditation. Time slowed…my focus narrowed…and thoughts and ideas swirled in my mind…

Handwork is not my strong-suit for many times I am too impatient for activities this slow and demanding. But this time was different. I found that by using silk, needle and thread, the thoughts, love and images swirling in my mind had time to create quiet, to weave together, and be sewn… into calmness and peace.  

*What are the things or processes in your art, or in life, that provide motivation, meditation, and peace?                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

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In the Studio…& In Life~~Curing Spring Fever

I have had spring fever and very little has been accomplished in the studio!…Not that I have done nothing at all, because I have been gathering and thinking about new ideas–the incubation stage of the creative process.

North Carolina Azaleas, (c) 2012, Joni Beach.
North Carolina Azaleas, © 2012, Joni Beach.

While creative activities such as writing, painting, or quilting need this time, for me there can be a fine line between this stage and procrastination. I have a tendency to generate many ideas without moving on to the next steps of a) selecting one or two ideas, b) experimenting with new designs, techniques, and materials, in order to gradually follow through to c) a final design or piece of art.

As in art, in life we can do the same–think about ideas, research possibilities, and make lists but have trouble taking the next step of trying out one or two options. Our hesitation may be due to a busy schedule, low energy, or fear of past failures. Finding the right timing or motivation can prove to be a challenge. When creating art or writing, I may first put on music, grind coffee beans to make a pot of coffee, and find a comfortable spot. The rhythm and routine of these small actions move me forward…toward the task.

Perhaps in life, we also need some small steps of activity to bring us out of being in limbo. Finding the things which work for you as a unique individual can take some time,

But surely there has got to be a cure for this spring fever!  🙂

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