Back Among the Living

Let's just put it this way an airport at 3:45 a.m. is a ghost town. That is unless you are tyring to get out of Las Vegas...there were two more flight after Craig's. Guess when you run out of money you need to get out of town quickly. All went well with his cetifications; he was very happy. However, yesterday was a total loss for me. Did do orders on dvd's but not a creative thought passed through the gray cells....mostly slept.

Today is another day. Shipped all the orders from yesterday; actually went to the grocery store, my worst nightmare; cooked for Thom, Ronnie and I (hope they don't plan on something everyday); and worked on quilts. Started the third in the abstract series but not ready to reveal anything yet. Not enough done to see where the piece is going.....plus already thinking about changing the palette. Stay tuned for changes later this week.

Now that the brain is working, some thoughts on art and creativity have come to the surface. These might be just left over dead brain cells from the weekend but just thought you might want to see how deranged my beady little mind works.

Found this quote: I have no conscious premise while working of why I am working, what it is I am making, or whom it is for...I'm a revolutionary , and hope to remain one. An arrogant independence to create in my only motivation.--David Smith

Thinking this over just brought home to me that the impulse to create is what drives us all. The reasons we create may be beyond our conscious mind but deep in our subconscious. There was no reason in the world for me to stop making leaf quilt......could have gone on for years. As a matter of fact, I have a friend who has been painting aspen leaves and trees for twenty years. That isn't all he does...but it is a focus. In my case, the change occurred because something deep within wanted out. It is not for me to qustion why or even what they will be or who will be interested in them. My obligation is to simply create whatever wants to come out.

As artists/quiltmakers, we are responsible to the muse, rather call that impulse, since no etheral beings have been sighted in the studio. We limit ourselves by believing every piece has to be a show piece or selling piece. Can't tell you how many pieces have ended up in the trash....caught our trash man actually taking some out of the trash bin. Hope he and his family enjoyed them...but they weren't for me.

Every design/composition isn't golden...every stitch isn't set in stone. Some pieces can be saved; others can. What we need to develop is a discerning eye so we don't end up with the emperor's new clothes. Photography is a great tool for this. The camera can lie, but it can also reveal areas that need work or a piece that was just not for display. Whatever tool you use for discernment, don't be intimidated by it. Know that this is just a guide to get you to where you want to go.

After that long discertation, back to the studio...and check out the cute pictures of some of the Swain family.....now get back to work.