"No Expectations" © 2013, Martha Wolfe
I was chatting with my brother the other morning as he was sitting down to do his "morning pages" - you know, the 3 pages of stream of consciousness writing recommended in "The Artist's Way". An exercise to put you in touch with what's on your mind or in your creative spirit. Not being so much a writer as a hands on creator, I'd commented that it would be useful if I did something creative of that nature first thing each morning. And that was - sort of - the impetus behind this piece.
Most of my quilts that I create are totally conceived in my head before I sit down to actually sew anything. I work almost exclusively from photos, create large patterns, trace, position and then sew - something entirely preconceived. And so, I took this challenge to do something without preconception - no expectations....which was actually very challenging for me.
I was headed off on vacation, so I had collected some random things to create something with on the road. I expected it would be hand sewn and embroidered so I brought - and bought (very expensive in Switzerland) - floss. Idea after idea came to me and I would work them out in my head - STOP. So ultimately I just sat down to sew - my brother had a machine he had never used - didn't see that coming - and the creating began. I didn't cut the fabric, I tore it. I didn't fuse or pin things, and they wiggled and moved.
And in the end, I was pretty happy with it. Like "morning pages", "No Expectations" is a stream of consciousness, a floral after many wildflowers in the mountains and roses and peonies on the flower island of Mainau. Again, more about the process than the product. Thanks for the challenge, Lisa-Marie, you pushed me out of my comfort zone :)
"No Expectations" is loose bits of painted silk organza, machine sewn to a remnant of an earlier piece I made with silk quilted on wool felt.
Creating while travelling - I'm impressed! It is a beautiful piece you've created. By being away from your 'usual' environment you have done something away from your 'usual' work. I always enjoy seeing what the V9 group comes up with!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martha! It was a real departure for me (in so many ways), but I enjoyed it in the end - I should probably try it more often!
DeleteWhat a great idea, to do something creative first thing in the morning. This is really beautiful. In fact it does remind me of a summer morning! Nice job meeting your deadline even though you're away from your studio and all your familiar tools.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kate! I would love to be so disciplined to spend an hour doing some spontaneous, creative exercise each day. I think it would be a big growing opportunity! I thought it was sort of ironic how this sort of flowed out of me and was done a week ahead of schedule.....not my usual MO ins so many ways!
DeleteHow fresh and beautiful! I love the detail shot. I find it interesting how many of us seem to be planners and how difficult it can be some times to proceed spontaneously.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa-Marie! Quite the challenge. I really enjoyed it in the end, though I labored over it along the way. Too many preconceived ideas about what my artwork should look like.... :)
DeleteA beautiful piece Martha and special memories of your trip embedded in it.
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