Saturday, March 01, 2008

Tagged And Blog Honesty
.
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."~Dr. Seuss
I've been tagged for a Meme three times in February, and while that is very nice and sorta flattering I am reluctant to pass this thing on to the seven people I am supposed to. And I don't know if anyone is ready for me to be REAL on the blog
And it's my own damn fault.
The romance of the blog is that you can choose to say anything and be anyone you wish to be, with pictures, no less. So of course I have chosen to be SUPER-MEL. Wouldn't you?
I don't want to write whiney entries, or complaints, or even anything all that controversial, as I really am annoyed by confrontation and blog-arguing.
I love the blog for the memory space it saves in my brain, and a recorded day helps me so much with when I made something and what we did, when. But I fear that if I did nothing then I would have nothing to blog about and that makes me do something
just so I can blog it.
Whoa! Who is in charge here? Me or my blogitude?
And if I make something I want to show it on the blog. And of course I want it to be successful to show it on the blog. Which leads to doing only things that I know will be successful so that I won't look unsuccessful. This is a trap of my own making.
What would happen if I put away all my fabric and didn't make anything quilt-y?
Or knitt-y, or bread-y, or garden-y?
I would disappear.
And then if I had no audience (the blog and Dave are my audience) what would I do with my creativity?
What would I do if there were no one to see me fail? Or come up short? Or not report?
What kind of art would I produce if NO ONE WOULD EVER SEE IT BUT ME?

19 comments:

  1. I've shied away from the meme-thing myself because the idea of writing 7 interesting things about myself kicks the LIE machine into overdrive. Oops, I meant to say the CREATIVE WRITING machine.

    For the most part, people's day to day is not great blog-fodder but BS is easier to come by for some. I think the web is rife with it.
    I enjoy your day-2-day because you do and convey it in your writing.

    your art? Are you kidding? I can't imagine you spend much time thinking about your audience once you pick up a needle or pair of scissors.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Mel, I don't comment often, but I do read your blog and have been for years.

    I can identify with your question as I have asked myself the same thing at times. Am I creating for my blog or myself?

    I now think that I am creating for myself, but a motivator to complete things is my blog and the readers and feedback through comments.

    It used to be a powerful motivator, but with my recent move and change into a more pressurised job, I've had to let the blog go a little bit. Though I'm sure it will surge again as I really do love the connectivity my blog brings me.

    Anyway, good question.... but please don't turn into a creative hermit over it. I'd miss you very much.

    Go in what ever creative direction you want. I'll still read.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I didn't write a blog for ages despite loads of encouragement. I was afraid that any idea or concept I wrote down, I would be committed to complete.
    It makes me refine my ideas before I put pen to paper (or in this case fingers to keyboard).
    I don't feel the need to create for my blog, but I do feel the need to write 'something', to give something. On those days I probably bore people to death. I remember the dire posts whilst I was redecorating which was literally getting my readers to watch paint dry.....
    We should be the masters of our blogs, not it's servant.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Having met you, I know why I love your blog and it's because it is you. It's like stopping by to visit while you take me on a tour of your garden, offer me something to eat, and tell me exactly how to complete one of your projects. If I lived next door to you I would be just like Ethel... over at Lucy's! That is what your blog is to me. I'm just going to drop by Lucy's (you're better than Lucy because you are funny and knowledgeable.) I would like you to live on one side, Tommy on the other and Dee across the street. What a great neighborhood and I kind of have that through the internet.... almost.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Melody, Please just keep posting the way you have! I get such inspiration from seeing your work. Personally, I love reading the blogs of other fiber artists to learn, enjoy and appreciate their work, and to help me understand that I am a part of this creative process. Through posts on your blog, I learned that just fusing, not stitching is okay! I'm relatively new to art quilting, and don't know all the ins and outs. And every time I see your latest project, it makes me smile becaues your colors are soooooo fabulous! Anyway, just wanted you to know you are greatly appreciated!

    Judy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Melody,

    I wonder if you happened to hear the interview with VanCliburn on NPR this morning? He had some very interesting things to say on the "art" for yourself, and the "art" that needs to say something to the audience. I think that both may be important.

    April in upstate NY

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like to think of you as a person who does what they love every day, be it creating a quilt, or cooking or knitting or reading a book or seeing a movie, or exploring your new locale or whatever.
    Keep on blogging your life. I love your no whine zone and the great images you post even those of your foot covered in a newly knitted sock. :) you add to my day.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I view that meme thing as an annoying chain letter. Why shame friends to do something (out of guilt?) just because a chain letter told them to? It's kinda like inviting them to a home Tupperware party where they feel obligated to buy something they don't need.

    I've started blogging a bit as part of our Etsy Street Team. I enjoy it. To me it's a great substitute for Saturday morning get-togethers with fellow artists and peers to discuss art and life. Not everyone is lucky enough to live near a group such as our online "support group", so blogs help with art support.

    Please keep up your good works for us readers and friends.

    Twinnie Susan

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous10:06 AM

    First, let me comment on your quote- I have that printed out and hanging on my wall in the studio. It's pretty much been my life's mantra. I also have MLK Jr's "Our Lives Begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Now, I know he meant that in a much deeper context however, your art matters to you so DO NOT become silent about it. And YOU obviously matter to many of us....ergo.....

    KEEP WRITING!!!!!

    Hugs, teri in (STILL) snowy MI

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mel, I love your blog just the way you do it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. for me it's kind of "I'm still alive" announcement to my friends. I can't spend the time to call 20 people and tell them all the same story. I can blog and tell hundreds in a day. We all need the "keep in touch" thing. If you didn't blog I would be VERY worried that something had happened to you. As far as making art if you couldn't show it to anyone, that is very personal; some need feedback and applause, others just make art because they are driven to. I don't care what your reason is, just PLEASE keep in touch by writing your blog so we know you are OK.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think you should do whatever makes YOU happy! You are retired now right? I'll read whatever you write - if you don't write, just post an "I'm OK" to satisfy the curiosity! (You don't want total strangers to worry about you!!!)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very interesting pondering. What kind of art would I produce if no one would ever see it but me?

    I often wonder what kind of art would I produce if I didn't care about anyone else liking it but me? Maybe not at all...maybe if my ego were not invested, I would not have the urge to create at all. I might just be content to do mental constructs.

    But if I weren't able to view the art created by others, I wonder if the wellspring of ideas that constantly decorate my mental landscape would dry up?

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's kindof a "tree fell in the woods" question. Hmmmm.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous12:48 PM

    What kind of art would I produce if NO ONE WOULD EVER SEE IT BUT ME?

    Dear Melody,
    I don't have the answer to youre question but the egotistic site of me says ... I hop we won't find out.

    Kind Regards,
    Evy (from Holland)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Normally, I could respond to such philosophical thinking in-kind but this afternoon this is all too deep for me...so I'll just say that Super-Mel is still Mel and whatever you select to bring to your blog for whatever reasons you bring it should be cool first and foremost with you...Just keep bringing it though...I am a committed and dedicated reader of Fibermania!

    ReplyDelete
  17. You need to do what you need to do and I will enjoy reading your process "chats" on line. Your creative life is inspirational to others you may never meet and you and Dave are kind enough to share with the world. Imagine Peace and party on lady! Mary Helen

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous4:09 PM

    Blogs are tricky. I don't have (or want) one.

    See, it looks like life, it looks like sharing, it looks like we're making all these new friends, and I guess on some level we are 'connecting'.

    But there's a big ol' bunch of (as one commenter put it) Creative Writing involved, and that involves serious editing. It's WRITING, it's not actual life, whole. Some folks (on both sides) can get tripped up by that.

    What if 'whole life' starts being weighed and judged by its bloggability? Well, then the blog becomes a box. What if the edited blog life starts looking better than the blogger's 'whole life'? Does that make the (perfectly ordinary) cr*p even more annoying? Does the editing start to feel like lying? Performing?

    It's more complicated than simply filling in a FREEE! blog outline and jumping on the bandwagon, for sure.

    I really enjoy the blog, Mrs. Mel. But I do not for one moment think reading it (or meeting you a class situation) means I "know" you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous4:54 PM

    It reminds me of the song (I don't remember the title )but one line is "Do it anyway" Very few people see my quilts.The ones I do post online relly don't matter much and if someone doesn't like it thats ok. I make things because I need to. The product isn't relly that important to me its the process I enjoy.
    PS Love your blog! Liz in oregon

    ReplyDelete

Hello,
So nice of you to drop by. I love your comments, and if you would really like a reply, please email me at fibermania at g mail dot com