method.

new works in progress in the studio

nothing about my life is really routine- what time I wake up in the morning, what I have to do every day, how long I need to work, finances, etc... I consider myself a pretty self-disciplined and organized individual (almost obsessively so, with way too many charts, lists, and goals to keep up with) but I do everything at random times, in spurts.  I think in a lot of ways this is positive-- I do not have your every day job where things are predictable and become mundane, but sometimes I desire more of a method.

I feel like I should have worked out a method for how I work.  In school I feel like that was some of the advice I got- begin a certain way, do the next step, keep going and adding and doing similar steps to each piece in the series and they will eventually all be resolved on their own individual levels.

But, this is hard to do when I am working the way I do.  My Spills and Coverings Series, for instance, I have been working on the series long enough you would think I would have it down but some pieces are on paper, some are on paper then glued to wood, some start on wood then I add paper fabric and thread, others begin with fabric and thread, or even plastic and thread, they are all very different processes.

all new works around 14" X 20"

I have begun working on some pieces that in my head are a new little series called "small spills" but I am debating whether or not small is a negative term.  I have tried to have more of a method of working (not an easy transition by the way) but it is going really well and I really have enjoyed making these new pieces.  I think working a little more methodically was helpful.

here is a photo of a piece in progress and you can see the solvey plastic I use to sew on that dissolves in water..

 

I am so excited!  Finally a breakthrough after being out of my studio routine for the summer and working on shows.   I am enjoying this new work and even enjoying working small, which is usually a challenge for me.  Below are my new favorite pieces:  

Above Water and Drifting