Things are getting more and more eccentric at Casa de la Swain. Changing styles in my textile work, falling in love again with painting and photography...and then there is the ever illusive quest for continuing creativity through working with Eric Maisel. Still on the road teaching, posting now at the Ragged Cloth Cafe and taking the pledge to keep handmaiden up to date.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Reading through the Ring

Woo hoo! We are almost a hundred strong...and if you read through every single one, it takes some time. However, that is exactly what I did today...read everyone's blog. Some of us are mad daily bloggers; others of us just drop in occasionally. Regardless of how often you post, I noticed a thread that made me curious.

We are either all working at a break-neck speed or questioning why we aren't working more. We all seem to be in some transition in our voice.....either trying to find it or pushing the envelope.Very interesting....what is the cause? So fellow bloggers, what exactly is your motivation to create?

There have to be as many reasons as there are members, but I would like to hear from some of you personally. Whether you are a professional or beginner, why are you working in fiber? What drives you to create....to make art...to show your inner self or just play?

In my longer classes, three to four days, I ask all my students to pick five words that describe either creativity or quiltmaking (just depends on my mood). They have to trade a word from their list with their neighbor and then make a cogent statement on the subject given. What's the point? I am trying to teach how to turn the visual into verbal....and in the long run, give them a head start on how to write an artist statement. I posted some of these earlier this year...after Asilomar.

Now, I guess that is what I am asking you without the trading and word selection....turn your visual into verbal. A couple of suggestions...don't use I to start every sentence...as a matter of fact, try not to use it at all.....second, forget about technique...we all work in different ways so that is out of the mix....it doesn't matter how but instead why.

Oh boy, now she's getting bossy...sorry..don't mean to be terse. This is just meant to be fun. Hoping you will take the challenge, I await your comments.

12 comments:

Diane Perin said...

I'm so glad you read through the whole blog ring from time to time--it's an amazing, diverse group, isn't it? I love your "challenge" and I'll post something soon. But where was your Asilomar post? I know I read it but can't find it now...

Debra said...

Diane... check early April... they are there somewhere... I've found them a couple times.

Funny thing, I started ring the whole ring today, too. Started from the backend and read through about 40... saved the rest for later. Found some good new blogs...

Ya know.. the working/ not working thing seems to be so cyclical...

but THANK YOU for suggesting/requiring the elimination of "I". My biggest bug-a-boo when it comes to statements. I will try to develop a cogent statement soon.

Micki said...

I'm impressed you read the whole blog ring in one sitting. It takes me forever just to read a couple of dozen, but I will keep trying to get through them all. Your challenge is a real "challenge" for me but I will try to come up with something.

Becky said...

Great topic! I've tried to give my personal answer on my blog. I'm amazed that you've gotten through the whole list...I can only seem to read a few at a time, but I'm getting there.

Val said...

While at work I regularly read through the whole list! And its enlivening though I do find that some people are better than others at posting. It's interesting that the blogs that I originally marked as noteworthy continue to be head and shoulders above the rest! With regard to your challenge the answer will be on the blog as I have a feeling I could ramble! And note I do try not to start all sentences with I as we were taught in school! Grin!

Karoda said...

I'm another one that checks each blog regularly. Blogroll for some reason doesn't always notify when some blogs are updated and I don't want to miss anything. I'm actually thankful that some bloggers are not regular posters, it seems to make a good balance in the mix of the ring.

And I will gladly answer your question on my blog.

jenclair said...

I've already started reading a couple of responses to your topic...which is what brought me back here to see the original post.

I want to think about a response more thoroughly later, but my immediate reaction is that time seems to disappear when I'm in the process of creating something.

Cathy said...

Gabrielle,
I feel like I've followed you around the blog ring. Every place I commented, you had just been there a short time before me.
Great food for thought. I'll post my answer on my blog later today.

Lisa Call said...

I'm impressed you read the entire ring. I think I'm currently off the ring because I changed the URL of my blog yesterday. Hopefully my blog will be back in the ring soon!

Why use fiber - because I love the tactile nature of the medium. Fiber provides both a dry and disciplined exprience and also a big wet sloppy messy dyeing aspect so it fulfills my need for both precision and play. The meditative nature of the repetitive activities is also very attractive.

To create at all is an inner drive that I believe most human beings have. Artists might just be more in touch with these feelings and give into them more freely.

Jen said...

More food for thought. My response is on my blog, I'm just WAY to wordy to put it all here. Jen

Gerrie said...

Painting with fabric is how I describe my quiltmaking!

Deb R said...

I used to read my way through the ring more often than I do now, since it got so large. But now and then I'll take the time to do it, and it's always interesting!

As far as your topic du jour, I create because I must. You might as well ask, what is your motivation to breathe?

Why fabric? Because I like it.

Beyond that, those philosophical "why do you do what you do?" sorts of questions pretty much make me want to curl into a fetal position, put my hands over my ears, and rock back and forth going "lalalalalaaa". Sorry. I know that's a terrible thing to say to someone who studied philosphy.(grin)

But I'm genuinely enjoying reading everyone else's answers!

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