You know how I show you something new most Mondays, whether it's a completed quilt, a finsihed tote bag, or a textile art piece? You know how on Wednesdays, I do a Wednesday WIP post and show you what I'm working on, and on Friday I do "Friday Flickr Faves", pictures from Flickr that I find inspiring?
I set it up that way because I wanted to make sure that I had regular posts available for you, the people who are kind enough to pay attention to what I'm doing, and to make sure that they were at least a little interesting.
So last week, after I had spent most of the week working on my journal quilt challenge, making some more blocks for Of Quiet Stars, and doing some work on another big textile art piece I'm working on, I was in my sewing room casting about for ideas for a quilt that I could whip up quickly for Monday's post. I started making a sweet twin sized quilt for a girl in coral pinks and yellows, and realized that though I could race through it quickly, it wasn't really what I wanted to do. So I asked myself, "What do I really want to do?"
Well never ask a navel gazer such a question. It started not a only a whole train of thought - it started a life plan!
I want to work on artful quilting.
By that, I don't mean that I only want to work on textile art - I mean that I want each quilt I make to be a piece of art, whether it's meant to hang on your wall or be put on your bed.
I want to make beautiful things: because I can now, because I want to, and because somehow, I need to.
I want to make beautiful things for their own sake.
And that means time. Because it takes time - sometimes a lot of it - to make beautiful things.
Which means that I have to, out of necessity, change how I talk to you. And I want to - talk to you, I mean. I hope that you'll talk to me too - in the comments - about what you're doing, or what you're thinking, or what you've seen and are interested in. Link to your posts if you're a blogger or to your Flickr or other photo sharing site if you don't, tell me what you're interested in!
As for me, I'm going to have to post more process pics and talk more about the process - and talk about other things as well. I'm not sure what those things will be, but I'm glad you're here to find out with me.
Cheers,
Kit
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Congrats to your resolutions !! Honestly, I think it's a good way you want to go now. It is absolutely true that you CAN sew wonderful, beautiful, meaningful (!!!) quilts - and it would be a pity, it would be a waste of your talent if you "rush" it just because you want to show finished pieces every Monday (did I understand you right that you are an employee??? maybe working full-time???). And I'm sure that your readers will appreciate "work in progress" - I LOVE to see how a piece develops, and as I like your writing style, it will be fun to read about your thoughts about the process. So - keep up the great quality of your work, don't increase the quantitiy if you have to sacrifice the quality !!! (stepping down from my soapbox nox )
ReplyDeleteYES!!!!! Great plan- enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you chose an ideal time to stop and change direction. The year or so you spent making lots of quick quilts has evidently taught you a huge amount, and sometimes it's good to work on simple things, it can provide a breathing space and be almost meditative. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you make next, and don't for a second worry about producing quilts for a blogging deadline, that's a daft way to think about your work! It will be equally interesting to your readers to read about the different stages of a slower quilt. Think of it as the difference between publishing a short story every week in a newspaper or magazine, and publishing chapters of a serialised novel.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great thought provoking post.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing your new direction.
Deborah
Can't wait to see what the new process produces. I think it will be great to take us along the journey of how your amazing works come together.
ReplyDelete:) Thanks Frauke - you can be my life coach! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I work in law full time every day, and then I come home and try and spend some time with my family or have a late dinner, and then I head off to the sewing room and sew into the night, so I never sleep!
So, I'm looking forward to spending more time with my work, and with all of you!
*hee* Thanks Alexis I expect I will! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Deborah. I'm glad you're along for the ride!
ReplyDeleteHi Ele, yes - thinking about it as a serialised novel is a great way to approach it.
ReplyDeleteJust to be clear though, I wasn't producing for a blogging deadline - I was trying to cram in as much learning as possilbe in as short a time as possible. I'm done that now - it's time for the real work!
Thanks Marv!
ReplyDeleteKit, I think you hit the nail right on the head! For me, anyway! I've been trying to find my creative self, (I know she's in there somewhere!) and in the meantime rushing to make gifts for family and friends without taking the time to create, just following a pattern mindlessly. I'm glad you put all that into words. But I've been following your blog and I LOVE your art - it's gorgeous! Looking forward to seeing more of you doing what you love to do! xo Jodi
ReplyDeleteThanks Jodi!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's time for me (and perhaps you too) to explore what I have to say - and I'm looking forward to giving a good try!
Post your stuff here too!
Great time of year to think about where we are as artists. I'm with you in not whipping things together just to have something finished (unless I need a gift really quick!), but am still in the exploring techniques phase. There are so many things to try! So I'm doing a journal quilt challenge this year. I think it will help me find my voice. I hope my readers don't mind "process" posts, because that's what most of mine are!
ReplyDeletehttp://vickisvintagestitches.blogspot.com/
Hi Vicki,
ReplyDeleteI'll be participating in a journal quilt challenge as well - in order to explore different techniques. Perhaps we're doing the same one? I'm doing 3 Creative Studios'.
I'll come and check out your blog later this evening.
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for leaving a comment!
This post was especially salient to me. I don't want to be a factory!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your effort to take your time. I've been doing it forever and I get much fulfillment out of my quilting, regardless of how long it may take me to do something.
Thanks Jennifer - it does go against the grain after two years of pushing, but I think I'm really going to enjoy it! :) Popped by your blog - love it!
ReplyDeleteI love process posts, because it contributes more to the final finished article - it helps us understand the choices you made and why you made them etc. So yay! Looking forward to more articles of art and the processes of making them.
ReplyDeleteI've just realised I've spent a year on making quilts for people. This year I think I'm going to spend on making quilts for ME. As in - what I like.
Absolutely - do what you love, love what you do! :)
ReplyDelete