In Process

I have long been an admirer of layered images, whether in photography, mixed media or fiber art and I am intrigued by Claire Benn's paper lamination which is a technique perfect for layering. Her book was borrowed via interlibrary loan, so I need to get the technique down pat before the book needs to be returned. The technique is a little intimidating, but what can go wrong, go wrong, go wrong

After much searching I finally found a place to purchase thermofax mesh in a reasonable amount for a reasonable price. I am collecting images on paper which is the first step in the process, so I will be ready to give the process a try as soon as the mesh arrives.

First Step ...

.... in the process is brainstorming and there has been a storm going on in my head and I've put a few ideas from the storm into a sketchbook. I may not go with any of these as I'm still brainstorming and considering quilt ideas I've wanted to make in the past but here's where I'm at right now....

 ...a patchwork of pockets. I like pockets and the idea of creating a little quilt of pockets, seems like fun!

 I need to practice free motion stitching so a series of free motions would be good for me!

 Creating a scene from one of my many photos could be fun.

 Or using one of my photos of the many stone sculptures found on the beaches and trails I've visited.

Or another way to combine clay with fabric and here I thought of course using a teapot, one of my favorite forms.

Oh decisions, decisions....... I'm sure I'll add many more quick ideas to my sketchbook before I decide on a direction.

This may be the beginning of the process...

or maybe not...

I have a habit of changing my mind and project...

at least once!

the process has started

and for me to get started this early is quite something!

Well, what has actually happened is that I have set some parameters for myself to work within and help focus my thoughts and attention, and I always need to do that or I go off half cocked in way too many directions!

My parameters to work on my process piece:

• Mandala inspired
• wholecloth
• colour through thread/paint/ or ???

I've stumbled across a Pinterest board that has me dreaming of possibilities, and I'm intrigued by the concept. There is a lot of meaning and spiritualism surrounding Mandalas, which I'm looking forward to learning more about. It also has me remembering just how much fun I had with my Spirograph growing up, and I'm looking forward to re-living some of that!

let's see what comes next?

Janet

3 of 5 W's

What will I create?  Where do I begin?  When will inspiration strike?  Yup that's how my PROCESS usually begins.  

Where to begin; that usually takes place on the computer searching the internet for an idea, an image, a thought provoking article.  No luck so far.

When will inspiration strike; that usually happens when I'm down to the final days prior to the reveal.  Not this time though.  My inspiration came while looking through some old papers of my father's.  He was quite a poet, had written and stored quite a few, but never published them.  I came across an envelope marked "Please do this little thing for me."  I opened it and inside was one of his poems.  I won't recite the entire thing, but these lines inspired me.

Some twigs of cedar, birch and willow,

I like these for my spirit's pillow,

Then intertwine them, make a wreath,

adorn it with a maple leaf.

Then place the same upon a hill

and know, my spirit is here still.

--©  A.H.E.

What to create; hopefully a piece representing the picture created by my father's words.

Now some brainstorming is going to take place.  Stay tuned!

Feathers

Well, I Said I wanted this challenge To be about the process, so I am starting at the beginning of mine.  I have had this page(s) in my journal for a while and thought I would like to convert it to a piece, so My first step is to look at the page and think about how I am going to construct it.

As you can see there are several pages to the spread and I want to maintain it in my piece.  Obviously, I need to change the proportions to make the finished ones fit our challenge size, so I will probably have to upsize my stencils and masks as well.  How I am going to recreate the torn edges in fabric, I am not sure, but we will see, won't we?

Challenge 14

To view the latest challenge as a group, click on the Challenge 14 tab above.

hmmmmm.....something to think about!!!

If you can't describe what you are doing as a process, you don't know what you're doing. 

-W. Edwards Deming

and the next in line...

Is me.  

I haven't actually chosen a topic for our next challenge, but I think you will all still find it a challenge!

What I want everyone to do is to show their PROCESS.  

All the dead ends and ugly messes along with the serendipity of creating.  

I have found with a lot of people and some of my art students who look at my work, that they believe creating is hard and that we create it with some sort of inborn magic! - because they don't see the work that goes on before.  

Because they have never seen any of Monet's or Van Gogh's sketches, they think that works of art just happen.

If you want a topic word, then you can use the word PROCESS, which of course is just - A way of doing things.......any things, from acrobatics to zentangling.  

It's about the HOW of things.

In this challenge, there will be a reveal date 

16 November

BUT I want us to all just put up a couple of short posts as we go along about where we are at and especially if we are stuck!

I want this challenge to take away the mystery of creating and show what it really is, just a PROCESS.