Dots and Prickly Pears
TC #2 2010
Welcome to Studio 24-7 ! Before I talk about my newest Weekly Textile Construction, I want to give a tip of the hat to Elizabeth Barton and her fine blog: Art and Quilts, Cogitations, Thereon.
Elizabeth writes on all manner of topics related to quilts, the making of quilts, shows etc. all with the clear understanding that we are making Art and what this means. During a recent exchange we discussed a little about the concept of making art intuitively and so she has followed this up with a very thoughtful article which generated some equally thoughtful comments. I invite all of you to popover to her site, read the article and comment.
My joke is I can't claim to work intuitively because I know too much! What this means to me is I have studied art and made art for a long time and I know that what some may call intuition, is action based on knowledge and experience. Does this mean I always 'get it right'? Well I wish, but then where would the fun be in that. I sketch, I cut things out, I talk to other artist, I visit shows, I read (when I can stay awake), and I work in my studio on a regular basis. I find if I am doing these things my intuition gets much better.
I think one of the most interesting aspects of this conversation for me is when you turn the light on 'so called' primitive artists. I say 'so called' because these are most often people who not only haven't gone to art school but may not be highly educated at all in traditional subjects. So how does their intuition develop? Well I have not made any kind of study of this, but because I love many forms of primitive art I have thought about this. I think they actually have had a kind of training and it came to them through family, community, and local traditions. I think of the wonderful work of some of the aboriginal people and how they are often encouraged to spend their days painting or making whatever they make. Likely they have sat next to someone else who made paintings or pots etc. Think of the Gees Bend quilters. As a group of people, they may have been making their quilts for utilitarian purposes but I think they may have shown their work to each other and maybe complimented one another and these activities influence what we do. My personal belief is that as soon as you see a piece of artwork, good or bad, you have been influenced....so be careful what you look at! For me the things I don't remember are works that are so bland there is nothing to remember.
So. Whether you have a studio Phd. or have learned your art from books, experimentation and workshops, I agree with Elizabeth, you learn your lessons so well you are able to internalize the concepts and use them without thinking about every little thing you do. Work, stop, look, absorb, change, adjust, stop, look, study, wait, appreciate, get happy.
Now. Before you head off to make something wonderful..... here is my report on Dotty.
Last week I showed you my little study of black dots on yellow fabric and the piece at the top of the page is how it looks now. I call this type of stitching seed stitch but that may not be a real name. I love this technique and I am pleased with the results. Actually I was not pleased until I had finished it all and put it on the design wall so I could see it with proper light.
I tried black thread and that did not work. I tried a kind of cream white and that didn't work. This one if an off white and I like that. I shows on the yellow and makes each of the black shapes and dots look like cactus and really animates the surface which was already pretty animated! I have not finished the edges as I may add another element to this little study. Only time will tell. Here are some details for you to enjoy.
Please drop by on Monday as I will have an Artist Profile on Joan Schulze.
Love hearing from you!!!
