People ask, "What is your process?" and I never thought about it. In my early 20’s, I wanted to learn how to play the guitar. My guitar instructor would hand me a sheet of music and asked me to play what I read. I recognized the song title, without realizing it, I played what I heard in my head instead of playing what was written on the music sheet. He would stop me repeatedly, asking me to play what was on the music sheet, but it was no use, eventually my instructor gave up on me. He now teaches dancing on a cruise ship! My guitar days were over, but during that time I learned a great deal about my creative self.
As I look around the landscape, my mind is always thinking on how I would recreate what I saw using fabric, stitch and fibre to give my idea dimension, depth and texture.
I love going for a drive out in the countryside. It's such a great way to relax, get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It's my happy place and I always have my Iphone with me. When I see something that takes my breath away, out comes my phone. Always thinking to myself, how would I create texture, depth and dimension using fabric, fibre and stitch with this picture. I take lots of pictures, so when I get back to the studio I can edit them on the computer to get the correct composition.
2. Once I see it in mind's eye, it's on to choosing the supplies. As a Fibre artist, I have a
wide variety of fabrics, fibres, and paint to choose from, but there are times I might
decided to paint my background first. Once the background is established it's
creating the elements.
3. Building individual elements such as trees, hills, buildings and their textures takes
time, but the process is fun, takes my mind into another realm, I become focused and always asking myself "what if"? Sometimes, as I am creating, my plan isn't what I'd hoped, it could be better or different! I don't stress about it, I think about it a bit
more, challenging myself to think outside the box.
4. If something I'm trying isn't working, I walk away and take a break. The old saying -
"you can't see the forest thru the trees" is true. I realize that I need to walk away,
and take a break, to give me perspective, this allows me to figure out what is not
working or what is missing.
5. Using a framing mat by placing it over the working piece, helps me focus on what's working and what isn't. Does it need something else, what about shading, highlighting. I refer to my original photo through the process. It's like a map. Stand
back, look, how does it feel, it will tell me if it's finished and if not I keep going!
So, this is my process, what's your process, asking me anything, I am happy to share!
Until next time! Keep on creating, be curious and ask lots of questions!
Cheers, Sue