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Trying to cram in as much as you can…

April 13, 2017 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Art & Design, Inspiration & Education, Productivity, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

We all have more ideas, hobbies, dreams and wishes than we may realistically ever be able to achieve. Though if your like me your trying to cram in as much as you can! In the past week I’ve taken some time off of work to do something I always love to do at this time of year, garden and garden related volunteering (I’m a Master Gardener!). 

I value the freedom and flexibility of owning my own business so that I can shift gears when I need to and escape to pursue a passion or hobby that may not be related to Organizing or even my Art! But we creative’s can be very tempted by bright shiny objects, new ideas, new materials, the latest gadgets and tools…and they don’t necessarily help us execute our creative ideas in a more fulfilling way.

Sometimes, more is just a big distraction and excuse to not get to work on our own making and art.

I am totally guilty of this as my brand new sewing machine sits in my studio barely used and a warp is on my loom, only barely begun with a new weaving project. There are also times when stepping away from what we work on daily to “Take a Beauty Break” (as my friend Lisa would say), is a great way to reset the soul and give us clarity and focus again!

I’m not suggesting that we should not ‘invest’ in new tools and materials when we need them but as any gardener, quilter or knitter knows, sometimes you have to use up the stash before buying more!

Casting our ideas and creative focus in too many directions can leave us scattered.

Having too many creative pursuits, ideas and materials around us can be a distraction. A tip I often suggest is to pack up one or more different materials (supplies) and put them away for awhile (a few months or longer). Allow yourself to focus on one or two burning creative ideas! If your a writer, you can collect thoughts for future writings into a “NEXT” folder (the suggestion of a great PR person I recently met). If you find that you are not called back to these supplies, then donate them, sell them or give them to a friend. They may be just the inspiration someone else needs to set their ideas on fire!

cram in as much as you can

By setting some of our ideas and creative pursuits aside, we make space to focus on what we really want to be creating. We distill our creative energy to be  more potent and concentrated. Have you ever had to say no to some of your creative ideas for awhile in order to focus on your current creative direction?

In The Studio:: 2016 Artist Studio Round Up

December 29, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Art & Design, In the Studio, Inspiration & Education, Organize Leave a Comment

A Look Back at 2016’s Artists and Their Studios

It would be no exaggeration to say that 2016 has been a roller coaster of surprising loops and turns at every corner. But, as always, in all the hubbub we can find organization among the chaos. Through the In The Studio Artist Interview Series we have been introduced to a spectrum of creatives in Charleston, Gatlinburg, New York and NC. These 15 artists work in a range of media from ceramics artists, painters, jewelry makers, and taxidermists to name only a handful. In every studio, we learn something new about the creative process through the eyes of the artists and their innovative, unconventional, or surprisingly conventional ways they craft the spaces they call home. Read on for some of this year’s highlights as you take a stroll through the 2016 Artist Studio Round Up.

“It’s a benefit of working from home, getting to be around things that inspire me, including my dogs and my collection of taxidermy and artwork.” – Becca Barnet 

2016 Artist Studio Round Up“I realized in my 30’s that I had been one my whole life.” – Joanne Davis-Woods on when she realized she was an artist

2016 Artist Studio Round Up“I feel as though an awakening has begun in me as an artist since the day I moved in. I wish I had known what playing well with others was like years ago.” – Stephen Elliott Webb on working at Redux

2016 Artist Studio Round Up“It all evolved organically, my new studio was so different than my past studio, so it did not influence my new space; a new vision, a new label, a new space – liberating!” – Leigh Magar

2016 Artist Studio Round Up“I do have a little altar and I keep several talismans which have meaning to me and tiny objects d’art I like, the green daughter goddess, Tara, and fabric patterns designed by William Morris.  I also hang quotes that represent concepts I want to digest.  It’s just a little corner but it has lots of meaning for me.  I keep fresh flowers around, too.” – Mary Carol Koester on the inspirational oddities in her studio

2016 Artist Studio Round Up“I have a lot of rocks and books and records, but this is part of my journey.  It’s my home so none of it overwhelms me.  I like to be reminded of my family and my past, even if it’s painful.” – Lala Abaddon

2016 Artist Studio Round Up“I didn’t know I was an artist until maybe last year. It’s always a question in my mind, but lately I stopped judging whether I am an artist based on my output and realized that it’s a state of mind and a permanent fixed part of my existence.” – Tim Hussey

2016 Artist Studio Round Up“Limitations and discipline are essential to success more in the outside world in terms of exhibiting. In the studio I have a pretty focused aesthetic so projects are paused immediately when I see them going a different direction than the original intent.” – Andrew Guenther on limitations to fuel the creative process

2016 Artist Studio Round Up“I use true classical dyes and processes that have been used to color fabric throughout history. The plants I use In my process are ones that have been proven over time to to age beautifully and with integrity. It is also important that the body of work I leave behind was made without harming the planet.” – Barbara Zaretsky on leaving behind a legacy

2016 Artist Studio Round Up“I felt like people saw me as an artist, or the guy who made art, from an early stage, but I didn’t fully embrace that until I went to Italy for the first time. It was a gut punch in a good way.” – Case Jernigan

2016 Artist Studio Round Up“Everything is in sight. I find materials to be very inspiring and having them in sight is important. In fact, when designing the space for the fiber studio at the college I teach at, I specifically requested yarn shelving that was visible and accessible from all locations of the room. ” – Amy Putansu on studio organization

2016 Artist Studio Round Up“I have always found comfort in objects, and that’s a huge part of why I make functional pottery. I collect vintage melamine dinnerware which I have in my studio and find constant inspiration in. I am a sucker for old rusted tin and metal objects. These objects have such an incredible embedded history through its weathered surface, a surface that I seek within my own work.” – Austin Riddle

2016 Artist Studio Round Up“I don’t like to limit myself to any certain material, but I typically work with a lot of paper, fabric, and other easily accessible and relatively inexpensive supplies. I try to be conscious of my footprint when I make, so I really enjoy reusing things and turning ordinary found objects into something a little extra-ordinary. ” – Emily Schubert

2016 Artist Studio Round Up“I like covering my working surfaces in butcher paper and then writing notes and lists on the paper. I can also section off pieces on different parts of the paper and write notes or sketch around the piece. ” – Maia Lepo on keeping the process in check

2016 Artist Studio Round Up“I do tend to wander for two or three days before getting to work when I have been away from the studio. I call it the “dog bed-making  process” – circling several times before settling in!” – Lese Corrigan on personal artistic rituals

2016 Artist Studio Round Up

Each studio visit leaves us with a new perspective and appreciation for artists and their work. As 2016 comes to a close it is wonderful to be able to look back at the wonderful artists who were so gracious with their time and space. This compassion and energy excites me for the studio visits to come in 2017.  Stay tuned for even more inspirational artists as we gear up for the In The Studio Artist Interview Series for 2017.

Know of an artist that you think should be featured in the new year? Perhaps it’s you! If so, drop me a line. And, of course, happy holidays and see you in the New Year!

 

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TSA Crosscurrents::A Dangerous Dose of Fiber Inspiration

November 4, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Handmade, Inspiration & Education, Textiles & Pattern 2 Comments

WARNING:::This post contains a dangerous dose of Inspiration!  A little over a week ago I returned from TSA Crosscurrents, where I spent a week fully emersed in all kind of fiber goodness. The Textile Society of America conference is held every other year and when I heard they were going to be hosted by SCAD (my Alma Mater) I was quick sign up! I had to find a way to justify this trip since I no longer “work” in the textile field so I offered to volunteer. But any of you who know me have seen that my passion for fibers and textiles is life lasting and not going anywhere!

TSA-Fiber Fieldrip
In conjunction with this Conference, SCAD put together several incredible Exhibitions including this work at the SCAD museum, If We Must Die by Ebony G Patterson (above) and Guests, Stranger and Interlopers by Subodh Gupta (below).

TSA-Fiber Fieldrip

My former textile professor, Pamela Wiley had an incredible one-woman show, Now the Once with her stunningly surface embellished quilts (though I hate to even put them into a category)…works below.

img_5038-36 img_5041-2 img_5046-3 img_5056-4
This conference gave me the opportunity to personally meet (and Hang out with!) textile and fiber mentor’s such as Yoshiko Wada, Catharine Ellis, Roland Ricketts and Ana Lisa Headsrom. I have looked to these women’s blogs, artwork, books, DVD’s and more for both inspiration and knowledge over the many years since I stepped foot on this creative path.  Yoshiko curated the show Arimatsu to Africa, a stunning sampling of shibori!

Arimatsu to Africa:Shibori Trade, Techniques and Patterns

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And Catharine curated Indigo and Beyond including incredible examples of contemporary works in fiber and indigo.

Indigo and Beyond

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And, there were even more Exhibitions (5-6) showcasing innovative contemporary textile work!

TSA 2016 Exhibition Works

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Beyond the visual delights that seemed to be everywhere I turned, my head was spinning! The session panelists were all foremost curators, experts, archivists, researchers and educators in the museum and education fields. I was both out of my element and totally in it! Have you ever experienced that? I was especially interested in panel’s having anything to do with indigo, natural dye, archiving, organizing, legacy of artists…and I was so excited to learn resources (which I will be sharing in future posts) where my art and organizing worlds overlap!

My final treat of the week was returning to Ossabaw Island to assist Donna Hardy with a fresh leaf indigo workshop. Despite the horrid mosquito’s and the storm damage from Matthew, the weather and workshop were unforgettable as always (do GO if you ever have a chance-next year hopefully).

Sea Island-Ossabaw Indigo Workshop

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Feeling so blessed to be able to schedule this time out! Having been a part of TSA helps me feel like I am still connected to the textile and fibers world (which I am locally as well) and gives me a sense of perspective and excitement for my ideas and what’s happening in “the field”!

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Organizing Lessons from Arrowmont

August 26, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Art & Design, In the Studio, Inspiration & Education, Organize, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

What can we learn from simply observing how artist organize their space in a co-working environment? Lots I think!

While I was at Arrowmont I took the opportunity to walk around and look at other artists work but I also was observing their creative spaces.

How artist organize and tips we can apply to our own creative spaces.

[Read more…]

Fiber Fieldtrip Arrowmont

August 19, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Art & Design, Handmade, Inspiration & Education, Museums & Galleries, Textiles & Pattern 1 Comment

Last week I took a Fiber Fieldtrip to Arrowmont…for an entirely necessary week of learning new creative skills in weaving and spinning. It was pretty incredible and began with my arrival to the smoky mountains after a few summer thunderstorms. I delighted in stopping on the overlooks and gazing at the storms, lightening and lingering clouds in the valley’s.

Fiber Fieldtrip Arrowmont

I live by the sea and I drink it up every chance I get but the mountains literally call to me.

There are times I long to be up high, breathing the less humid air and seeing for miles, feeling the solid earth beneath me. Fiber Fieldtrip Arrowmont

Arriving in Gatlinburg, I ignored all the touristy nonsense and made a beeline to the campus, both isolated from town and right in the midst of it! I’ll just say that once I got there, I didn’t set foot off campus. My entire existence pretty much revolved around three locations, my room-where I slept, our studio-where I spent about 12 hrs a day (in bliss) and the dining room-for 3 great meals a day.Double Glory

Morning Glories greeted us each day before breakfast!

Moon over Arrowmont The moon and sunsets greeted us each evenings along with slides from the teachers, resident artists and

others artists at Arrowmont. Sadly there were too many clouds for gazing upon the perseids meteor shower.Arrowmont Sunset

There were totems and animal totems (no photo of the black bear-sorry!)

Arrowmont Totems

Not having to worry about making or getting food was one of the highlights of my week! To say we were well fed is an understatement.

Fiber Fieldtrip Arrowmont Fiber Fieldtrip Arrowmont

Class began with our teacher, Lynn Pollard, leading us in a mindful meditation on making paper yarn (called Shifu) out of traditional Japanese mulberry paper. The process included slicing the paper, dampening it, rolling it and finally spinning it. Once we learned the traditional process we were invited to explore variations using other materials. Though I enjoyed learning the traditional way, I went with every intention of learning how to spin and weave with the vintage nautical charts that I’ve been indigo dyeing for a few years. We had an indigo vat set up in the classroom and quickly became the “popular kids” with many other classes visiting us.

Making Paper Yarn at Arrowmont

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I didn’t get great photo’s of the spinning process but lets just say that I didn’t want to like it as much as I did. I’ve managed to be a fiber artist for 20 years without spinning and swore I didn’t need to learn another fiber craft skill. Just not possible I guess, I do love to learn new things and this class was an excellent example of traditional and non traditional materials and process. I came home and put a warp on my loom right away to get back to weaving! I’ll be exploring the possibilities of paper yarn in my future weaving’s and can’t wait to share them soon.

Finally I want to share a few highlights from the Instructor exhibit. I’ve even interviewed some of these instructors and have my sights on a few more! What you don’t see here are works by the Artist in Residence, but don’t worry…I’ve interviewed all of them and will be sharing their work and studio’s this fall!

2016 Arrowmont Instructor Exhibition

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There are so many incredible talented artists and teachers that have been ‘Cultivating your Capacity to be Creative‘ at Arrowmont and beyond! The most important take away (besides re-learning Lynn’s “Right way to warp a loom!”, hemstitching and spinning) is how important it is for me to cultivate my own creative capacity and this means setting aside time, both at home and away for creating and making, regardless of what the outcome is!

My ride home was leisurely and I spent the day exploring and soaking in the Smoky and Appalachian mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina.

Fiber Fieldtrip Arrowmont Fiber Fieldtrip Arrowmont

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