Monday, February 25, 2008

Getting Unstuck!

It's sometimes very hard to get unstuck. I have found that to be true in the last few weeks. The weather in New England has not been nice and I find that my creative spirit gets lost in the dreariness. Some of you may feel the same way from time to time. One of my weaving friends says that if you are stuck, wind a bobbin! The point being just do anything in your studio to get moving! Well I took her advice and straightened up my desk, sorted out some magazine clippings, and began to tackle the last of the painting that needs to be done in the studio.

Last weekend my husband and I got the window frames and the baseboards painted. Now all that is left are the skylight frames, a shelf, and the door to the attic space. Just getting some more things done helped me begin to do some creating. As a result I pulled out my extra handwoven fabric and designed a one-of-a-kind Shrug.

Here are the results:





Close up of the details:



















Here's hoping that this is the beginning of being unstuck!




















Friday, February 01, 2008

Renewal

It's always good to give yourself a time for renewal and replenishment. The last couple of years my husband and I have been able to travel to Florida in January and spend a few days on Siesta Key near Sarasota. What a wonderful respite from the winter cold of the North! Not only the cold but it is a refreshing return to color! I write this as I am now back in New England under grey wet clouds. It's easy to forget that somewhere else it is blue skies and emerald waters. I hope that my 10 days soaking up the sun and blue/green waters will get me through the rest of winter under grey skies.



(View from our condo. Sorry about the screen lines!)


Our time there was wonderful as we connected with friends and family, walked the beach, and enjoyed the 60 - 70 degree weather. We managed to fit in a craft show or 2. The one on St Armands was excellent. I couldn't get away without purchasing some art work. Like I don't have enough on the walls already! I purchased a mixed media piece done by a husband and wife team. He writes poetry and makes assemblages that have a petroglyphic quality to them. The one I purchased is "The Whirlwind Dance". I thought it was perfect for the my studio. After I get it hung I'll do a studio tour of the artwork that inspires me when I go to work.


I came back inspired to do new work. As long as I can remember the blues, greens, and tans of the sky, water, and sand I'll be able to forge ahead. Here's hoping that these pictures give you some renewal and respite from the cold and grey winter. Remember the spring will come whether in the work that is produced or the song of the first spring bird or the showing of the new grass!!!! It will come!!!!!!!!!!!!