I began this piece at the beginning of July, when my heart and emotions were a swirling maelstrom – brought on by the onslaught of damaging, derogatory messages to women that kept coming and coming and coming.
Yesterday, I added a post-script to my original post, answering a question I am often asked "What is 'art' to you?" because I am often blathering in my posts along the lines of "this is art" and "this isn't art, it's just 'pretty'."
In talking with Deidre Adams on Facebook yesterday (one of my very favourite artists, actually, so you really ought to check out her work) I realized that my original definition of "art" as it applies to me, was actually fairly unclear, and also, might have inadvertently been insulting to some of you. And if you found it so, I apologize!
"Walking While Black" (c) 2012 Kit Lang
So, to be perfectly clear, when I am talking about "what art is" - I'm not addressing that in a large-scale, KIT'S DEFINITION OF ART APPLIES TO EVERYONE" way. I'm always, only talking about it in the context of my own work. So:
When I make "art" I am trying to convey something or evoke a response.
"Lake of Dreams - Quartet" (c) 2012 Kit Lang
If I have no intention in the creation of the piece, then I feel emotionally separated from it, and I find no pleasure or "art" in it. I may be making something "pretty", but to me, it is bereft of meaning.
"In Dreams" (c) 2012 Kit Lang
To find happiness in my own work, I need to find meaning, which sometimes is there when I begin the work, sometimes develops in the acts of creation, and sometimes travels with me the whole way through, only to slip away as I near the end.
All I know is, if I can't find the meaning in my work, then it doesn't feel like "art".
When I posted a pic of the wheels on Monday, someone said they were curious about what my inspiration was for this little piece. Well, here 'tis! :)
I have been feeling de-motivated and pressured at the same time – an odd combination I admit; but I have a number of upcoming due dates: pieces promised for a number of shows, pieces needed for my Group of Eight Challenges, as well as pieces for a show and sale I've committed to next summer. I know that Summer 2014 seems a long way away, but I have to fill an entire space with my "real"* work as well as "portable property" as a I call it – small pieces at inclusive price points.
Have I mentioned that I`m going to be participating in a show with Group of Eight at the end of August-into-September
So, I`m trying to get some new work done!
Doing a little "hand work" of a different kind... I'm back to working the boy. But I am struggling with motivation.
As I've been making this piece, I realized two things: one: that's it's a self-indulgent bit of work with little value, and two: that it's going to be "pretty" and not "art". I find these two realizations very de-motivational. It makes me want to roll it up (pick up my toys!) and go home. lol
When I posted this pic on Facebook a week and a half ago, people were intrigued -and wanted to know whether this was soluble, or tissue paper, or....?
In fact, it's tracing paper. I have always used it to test out quilting/stitching patterns on my art pieces, but now I find it's even better when I'm hand stitching, as I can actually draw the hand stitches I inted to use and see how they'll look. I can then erase, make adjustments and changes, and have a pattern I can take with me as I travel back and forth - which means I can chat with my co-workers at lunch while stitching, or watch t.v. and not have to "think" about what I'm doing.
And speaking of stitching... it's begun! Check out the beginning...
Today we're problem solving. :) First we're going to fix the quilting problem from the other day, and THEN we're going to fix another little problem I encountered on my lunch-time project this week.
I've been trying to decide whether to tell you where we're going! I always like to show you bits and pieces as I do them, and have the "big reveal" at the end where you see all the thing whole.
But in this case, I think it's pretty evident where we're going... so this is what's on my design wall cum photo studio.