I often find at the beginning of a new year that I have lots of things ahead of me, lots of things I can begin, lots of things to plan for and lots of things to explore.
And in my own way, I am not good at parking several of them whilst I focus on only one. Especially when the deadlines are not that close, when the due dates are all a bit out there in the future sometime... I find I work best by progressing a bit of this and a bit of that.
In line with my approach to slowness this year, I am also trying to build in time just for play - with no goal or end in sight, just the chance to do, play, explore, discover and delight!
So there are no finished works or complete pieces in my studio yet. There are lots of little bits and pieces, bibs and bobs all taking tentative steps forward; some being delved into in great detail and ideas thrashed about, tested and re-tested.
My journey in the studio is very iterative - one things happens, another thought appears, a new possibility emerges. It is always slow.
So here are a few snippets from my week.
Playing with printing fabrics, and gauze and silk cocoons...
Little bits of collage…
Colourful swatches for a maybe book…
Playing with water-soluble graphite pencils…
mmm embossing….
White marks on creamy white paper, preparations for a book I hope…
Burning pages, another book in preparation…
Sketching feathers…a gentle book in mind
Playing with folds and envelopes and places to keep treasures…
There are three serious projects in there as well as lots of play which is a fine balance so far.
I have spent quite a long time trying to resolve a binding - poring over books to see if anybody has down what I think I need to do; or if I will have to create my own approach. Which I think I will.
Sometimes just being able to spend time in the studio, mulling things over, leads you to the unexpected place, but the right place. I did pages and pages of calligraphy and colour swatches and washes and designs for this one book and then out of the blue the brush marks came and solved it all. For now at least!
Hopefully soon there will be something fuller, more resolved, more real, to show you. Just looking at the above reminds me how eclectic I am and how much I jump around from this to that!
And in my own way, I am not good at parking several of them whilst I focus on only one. Especially when the deadlines are not that close, when the due dates are all a bit out there in the future sometime... I find I work best by progressing a bit of this and a bit of that.
In line with my approach to slowness this year, I am also trying to build in time just for play - with no goal or end in sight, just the chance to do, play, explore, discover and delight!
So there are no finished works or complete pieces in my studio yet. There are lots of little bits and pieces, bibs and bobs all taking tentative steps forward; some being delved into in great detail and ideas thrashed about, tested and re-tested.
My journey in the studio is very iterative - one things happens, another thought appears, a new possibility emerges. It is always slow.
So here are a few snippets from my week.
Playing with printing fabrics, and gauze and silk cocoons...
Little bits of collage…
Colourful swatches for a maybe book…
Playing with water-soluble graphite pencils…
mmm embossing….
White marks on creamy white paper, preparations for a book I hope…
Burning pages, another book in preparation…
Sketching feathers…a gentle book in mind
There are three serious projects in there as well as lots of play which is a fine balance so far.
I have spent quite a long time trying to resolve a binding - poring over books to see if anybody has down what I think I need to do; or if I will have to create my own approach. Which I think I will.
Sometimes just being able to spend time in the studio, mulling things over, leads you to the unexpected place, but the right place. I did pages and pages of calligraphy and colour swatches and washes and designs for this one book and then out of the blue the brush marks came and solved it all. For now at least!
Hopefully soon there will be something fuller, more resolved, more real, to show you. Just looking at the above reminds me how eclectic I am and how much I jump around from this to that!
It all looks very inspiring and it has my creative juices flowing. I love the classical. elegant beauty of embossing and the not quilt straightness of the lines. The burning has a wonderful rhythm to it - have you done it with a soldering iron? The white calligraphy on creamy paper is gorgeous. I wonder why white is always so attractive? I'll be following with baited breath to see how these projects progress.
ReplyDeleteHilary Florence
Hi Hilary - thanks for following along with my wanderings. What can I say about white on white except its always been love? The burning I do with an incense stick, letter by letter. And the not quite straight lines are good! I just grabbed the tool and sliced the lino as I tried to keep straightish - they work well I think. Hopefully there exults will be worth any wait.
DeleteWith each new photo, I whispered "yes". What a time you've been having in the studio. Like Hilary, I too will be following with baited breath to see what these bits become. Happy creating!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer - It's so nice to play and not have toooo much time pressure on delivering. One or two of these have due dates in March so I need to get a wriggle on. But I do enjoy have multiple things to play with.
DeleteBeautiful, loving all the paleness.
ReplyDeleteAhh Debbie - I do love the softness and paleness and gentleness of this palette. Go well.
DeleteI understand slow, I always work slowly myself. Also the bits and pieces part. Setting something aside to tackle something else gives me a new perspective to the former and that's very enriching. Of course I love each one of the snippets you are sharing here, hoping for more soon!
ReplyDeleteHi Ersi! I have come to accept the slow factor and am adapting; altho maybe I would be faster if I did one thing at a time? Like you I like to go away form seething to allow new ideas to appear…sometimes a break away from something can give it new energy and you a new perspective. hopefully the snippets will become something real soon!
DeleteOh the luxury of having time to play!
ReplyDeleteThese are great ideas/works in the making; can't wait to see the completed works.
xox
Thanks Anna - I hope you can have a bit of downtime now and let your mind wander rather than be so focused. But look at the amazing results of your recent focus! Little by little these will come together I hope…
DeleteI've been playing with folds too Fiona, trying to make all the component parts of a Chinese Sewing Kit book or creating my own version of one so I love the folds and secret places envelopes. Can't wait to see more of these. Have spent an afternoon catching up on blogs and having now read a few of your posts in the process I am seeing that you are actually really busy at the moment, Can't wait to see where this all leads....
ReplyDeleteSnap Lesley! I have been looking all over for a pattern that might guide me with the CSK - I LOVE the idea of it and of course the only workshop I have seen is in England….but still the ebook I am working on will have lots of interaction and discovery moments I hope. Weirdly there is plenty to go on with, but it doesn't feel too busy just yet - after last year's crazy finale anything seems blissfully quiet I think. Hope all goes well in Wales.
DeleteI love your colorways and textures! 8-]
ReplyDeleteThanks Ellen - the colours are pretty much me - except the bright bold swatch! but some of my work can be bright on occasions too. The colours and marks and textures are lovely together, even in snippets, I think...
DeleteI look forward to seeing further posts - love the playing you've shown us!
ReplyDeleteHopefully the snippets will eventually become something real and I'll be able to show you Anna!
DeletePlay is rewarding on many levels. There is no urgency to complete a project, and along the way many happy accidents occur. Love all your 'bits and bobs'.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten how helpful playing is Jo - it opens many doors and thoughts and ideas doesn't it? I'm a bit of a bibs and bobs fan myself…go well.
DeleteWhat a visual/tactile feast of a week you look to have had, Fiona! I love these glimpses as much as those of your found treasures in the next post. Here's to slow, to play/process & eclectic(ness)...
ReplyDeleteWhew. Soooo good to hear you too are eclectic and jump all over the place! Love your work.
ReplyDelete