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.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Where did the week go?

I had every intention of posting pictures of me packing, especially the shoes, but some how the week slipped away. Leaving tomorrow and will return on 1 February from summer to winter on one big plane. I have no idea what to pack to wear home because I guarantee you it will be cold when I step off the plane. February is always our worst month....ice storms, below freezing days....basically serious winter. Oh well, run to the car quick and take your chances.
Reporting in on the second session with Eric: I am still floating. He thought the downtown Fort Worth piece was solid, finished work. Encouraged me to do a series of these. Thought the blue piece still experimental and needs to be pushed. Felt the black and red was very experimental, edgy and wants me to follow that vein as well. So the decision is to work on the Fort Worth series and the black and red as soon as I get home from the trip. Next we are going to do a reality check. Hold onto you chairs, dear readers. He is going to send the jpegs to a gallery owner and request his opinion on the work. Pick me up off the floor. His exact words were, "You are a painter." My reply, "Great, just what the world needs another struggling painter." His reply, "Oh no, you are going to do both....fiber and paint."
Let's see now and I will sleep and take care of my business while working in two media. Yep, one in the morning and the other in the evening. Do the painting in the day and the fiber and business in the evening. Pondering this since Tuesday...it is possible...and of course, the answer is yes. The real question is how committed to art am I. After all I asked for this. Why ask if you aren't willing to take the advice? Obviously the answer has to be totally committed.
We will see how this works as time goes by. Of course, you will be the first to know. In the meantime, off to down under with laptop packed, hoping I can post some while I am gone.
If you are at the convention, please drop by my classroom and say hi. Stay out of trouble while I'm gone...yeah sure!
Sidebar: Warning shoe update..managed to get 6 pairs of shoes in by packing some in with my teaching supplies. I am shameless.

4 comments:

Val said...

Bon Voyage! Have a great time. You will be missed!

Karoda said...

I figured you must be busy packing and art making and didn't have time for your loyal readers :) Enjoy your trip!

Deb R said...

Have a great trip. Take lots of pics!!

Cathy said...

Have a great trip. We will miss you, take lots of pics for us.
BTW, I loved the black, white and red piece when I first saw it. Can't wait to see what else you do.

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