CONTENTS

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Working in a series

Jeanne Raffer Beck has put a simple description of what it might mean to work in a series in her latest blog post - http://www.exploringthesurface.com/2008/07/working-in-series-more-thoughts.html

In a previous post she says "Creative minds can be restless, responding continuously to all the visual stimulation that abounds around us -- leading us to jump from one subject and process to another and another. While exploring techniques is richly satisfying, exploring them in relation to a particular theme or subject informs the explorations much more. And the results, rather than leading down a new trail, widen the one we're already on. Everything starts to connect and fit together, sometimes in exciting new ways, sometimes in familiar ones. Even a slight twist can make a huge impact on how the piece "reads", how the work communicates to an audience.
Small changes can be just as significant and interesting as huge, sweeping ones. Perhaps creative people tend to be like kids with their hands in the cookie jar, trying to grab fistfuls and stuff them in their mouths all at once. In contrast, working in a series encourages the artist to savor each bite, allowing a full appreciation of the flavor and texture of each one before moving on to the next."

I like this description a lot and feel that I've begun to move on from the cookie jar mentality - I just haven't got to the savoured small bite part yet!

3 comments:

Purple Missus said...

Hey, just thought I would pop over and see what you get up to and read this post.
She could be talking about me :)
I just want to try everything with the result that I never really get anything substantial done.
Going over now to read the article and see if I can pick up any tips on how to alter things.

sharon young said...

Hi Linda
Thanks for this very informative post, I think it describes a lot of us, and I feel as if I'll never reach the point where I'm not tempted by the new assortment of cookies in the jar:-) For me it's complete new processes that call rather than a new technique in a known field. I can just as easily flit from painting to knitting and back to weaving, if the mood is really exciting!!

hippopip said...

This article is so true I dabble in every new vogue ,purchase all the new must have items instead of finding my own way and style.I do think Sharon`s workshop is helping, thankyou for visiting my blog and leaving your kind comment