Eureka Moments
Most of the time I am muddling along trying to figure out what it is that I am doing and how do I get where I want to be from where I am standing. A lot of time is spent chasing my tail. Distractions and responsibilities interrupt meditation, as if I ever really allowed myself the time just to ponder.
Nonetheless, the old subconscious is ever active and midnight clarities sometimes do occur. The other night, my husband was having a wild conversation in his sleep that brought me to the waking state, and I got out of bed and went into the studio. I began clearing off my table, and putting things away, and upon opening a drawer, I found my sketchbook.
Ah yes, the sketchbook. I have mentioned before that the answers are all there, but why I can't think of that when I am muddling, is... unanswerable.
I pulled out the book which happened to be open to this specific page of sketches, from the cruciform series...and BOING! I had a eureka moment. An epiphany. Shazaam. Or as I am more likely to declare "it all became clear to me".
The drawing is the answer. What is the question? Well. That is what I have been confused about and muddling since I was in art school back in the late 70's. No kidding.
I sketch. The drawing lights the fire. I make the painting or the quilt and it is DIFFERENT. The drawing still lights the fire. I try again. It is still DIFFERENT. I have just now discovered the reason why. Duh. I have LEFT OUT THE LINES.
The lines are the things that make me EXCITED AND MOTIVATED. Why don't my quilts and paintings make me as excited or as excited in the same way? Because the lines disappeared in the edges of the paint or the edges of the fabric.
So now it is my aim to keep the lines there, at least in the paint. And the lines may not be black, like the drawing. They may be contrasting colors that emphasize the line. They may be broken, blobby or smooth. They will make me excited.
I got up today at 4:30 to paint some more. I am laying in the under coat in acrylics, but just for fun, I painted in a line between two blocks of color. This is it.
I am looking forward to seeing the results of your epiphany. I agree with you about the lines! I think it can be done in the quilt design, too.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Enjoy the ride!
ReplyDeleteOh, Melody, I love your declarations and Eureka! moments. And I love how you discovery these things, then wander off to explore them, then come back and make new ones ... and you're right, they often do bring you back to your notebook! It's encouraging that a professional goes through this muddling, which somehow makes me feel like it is okay to be an amateur muddler! As always, you are great and brave to share your explorations with us.
ReplyDeleteI think you're onto something there, Mz Mel. Isn't it exhilarating when you have those flashes in the wee hours? It's just so CLEAR! Good on ya!
ReplyDeleteI like art with lines in it. I had that revelation when I was in a painting class and saw an abstract painting in th e scrap pile. It had the most beautiful single brushstroke that varied in thickness. Don't even know who did it, it was in the trash.
ReplyDeleteAnd that line is, I note, Frieda green!! I likey.....
ReplyDeleteteri