Studio Notes: 13-06-25
Quilted circles and ugly stripes.
Hello,
Welcome to my first studio update! I’m excited to share a little more of what happens behind-the-scenes when I get creative, including the mess and the mistakes! But first, a little disclaimer. I don’t actually call my space “a studio”. The room where I cut and sew and quilt and write is called “the office” in our house. It’s partly because my husband also works in here at a desk with a computer, you know, doing normal “office” work (actually he is an academic so he might argue that point). But artists, including textile artists, seem to say they work in a studio, so let’s go with that 😜.
Anyway, what have I been doing since me-made May finished and I made the decision to focus on my textile art? You can read about that choice here if you missed it:
I’ve been making quilted circles! Some small ones, medium ones, and one big annoying one that’s just not going to plan (more on that later). I got very hooked on drawing circle designs during my 100 Day Project and have (almost) successfully turned three of them into textile wall hangings with the plan of creating my first collection, woohoo!
I’ve never created a cohesive collection of work before. Usually, I get drawn to an idea, make one or two designs and then move on to the next bright & shiny new idea. But, with you as my accountability partner, I’m all set to create a lovely bright series of circular wall hangings (and maybe some square ones too). I have a faint idea in my head of the concept I want to explore but I might just sit on that before I share it.
In the meantime, here’s a little peak at what I’ve been doing so far:
These have two were made with quite small circles, the largest diameter only measures 12 inches (30 cm). I thought it would be cool to go bigger and go wild with colours. So I got almost all my fabrics out and cut stripes of everything to make a behemoth 30 inch circle!
But this one is just not gelling with me. It could have been the quilting design I got wrong, or the “semi-random” colour choices, or the size, I’m not sure. And now I’m thinking of cutting it up into smaller circles. If you have spent hours and hours making something, you’ll know how hard it is to cut it up! But I’m trying to let go of the sunk-cost mindset and keep working until I’m happy with it. Either that or until I’m so fed up with it, I throw it across the room and turn it into cushion stuffing! Stay tuned 🤣
Before I go, I love finding out what podcasts and books other people are into so I thought I’d share mine too. I’d love to hear in the comments your recommendations too!
I’m Currently Listening To:
Since my favourite podcast has stopped (Art Juice), I’ve been listening to Creative Pep Talk by Andy J. Pizza, and (I don’t want to be political here) but I enjoyed Oprah’s interview with Jacinda Ardern about her new book “A Different Kind of Power”.
I’m Currently Reading:
I’m one of those people who usually reads two books (sometimes three) at once—it depends on my mood as to which one I pick up. Currently I’m reading:
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. I always gravitate towards historical fiction, usually a lot of WWII stories, but this one is set in the United States and flips between the story of an Irish orphan who was transported by train from New York to the midwest in the 1920’s, and a 17 year old foster child in 2011. It is horrific and sad and hard to put down at the same time. I’ll never fully understand how truly nasty humans can be to one another, and especially to children.
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. This was a birthday present from my Mum and it’s a great, easy read, full of wisdom and things you want to share on the socials. For example, this has helped me with my problematic big stripy circle piece: “All art is a work in progress. It’s helpful to see the piece we’re working on as an experiment. One in which we can’t predict the outcome. Whatever the result, we will receive useful information that will benefit the next experiment.” - Rick Rubin.
Devotions by Mary Oliver. I’m a huge Mary Oliver fan and have one of her books by by bed for any time I need a pick-me-up. I really struggle with marking books, you know, writing in the margins, underlining, ear marking the pages etc. But I’ve relaxed that rule with Mary and folded the corner down on so many pages so that I can go back and read all my favourites whenever I’m struggling with life. The Sun is one of my absolute favourites.
Ok, that’s all for today. I’d love to hear what is going on in your creative world at the moment. Are you struggling with what you are making, or the direction you are going in? Or are you in that sweet juicy flow state, ahhhhh.
Until next time,
xx
It's lovely to see your bright colourful circles when we have been experiencing such cold gloomy winter weather. I threw a quilted wall hanging in the bin once but my husband dug it out and told me I was being silly! Sometimes we just have to 'park' things and wait for more ideas to appear. It's also ok if things don't turn out how we want, it's all part of the process of creating.
Okay, I am obsessed with your quilted circles!! You have such a good eye for colors and shapes, they are so cool! Also, two of your books are also on my list! I just ordered "Devotions" from my library yesterday, and my therapist suggested "The Creative Act", just the other day!