Last week we covered your Mind Map and Letter of Intention, and perhaps the Planning Calendar - now its time to move forward with building a system to keep focused and on plan.
Each part of your making involves many tasks - all creative in their own ways! But sometimes looking at that big picture can seems overwhelming - my focus idea of large vessels has so many different components that I have never attempted, I feel like a beginner!
When you drew up your Mind Map you wrote short ideas about techniques, supplies, research and started to build a plan. You also wrote your Letter of Intention with more details that might use words like explore, research, examine - we are going to expand on those details and break them down into steps or tasks. ....and if you love spreadsheets …
In my Letter of Intention I wrote “I intend to expand my work both in size and with different materials such as wire substrate, painted canvas, perhaps yarn/rope/threads?”
But this still might be too large a picture - these are big topics with a lot content under each intention. So, for each idea I need to list the steps forward. First I put down some headings such as Preparation, Supplies, Time Line and then break those headings down into more concrete tasks. After that I will list those steps into order of approach - for example, I need to research what vessels I intend to create before I know what supplies I might use in the experimentation/creation.
How will you do this, what methods and technology might you use? You may find Post It Notes helpful as you can write, prioritize and rearrange as needed, perhaps a spreadsheet or your sketchbook? Your choice, of course, just make sure it gets down as a visible and adaptable method of working.
Here are some of the steps/tasks for my focus of Vessels:
PREPARATION
Research:
- look for textile or mixed media art that is created as pots and vessels. Galleries? Pinterest? Instagram (think of hashtags to might use to search) - spend time on Ipad in the evening
- artists who are currently working in similar styles or methods - create private boards on Pinterest?
- websites to find and bookmark, particularly historical research
- any art associations focused on these themes - where would I look
- order the book I have in my shopping cart - done!
- look at ancient and modern styles
Mockups/maquette
- figure out sizes and shapes - research again - sketches
- practise with forms/wires - other items to use - research what others have done
- would I try weaving with natural items - branches, grasses, vine - can I gather on Pender?
Explore:
- what marks and designs might be used, work into my sketchbook
- reference to others marks are a good start but how might I make them uniquely my own
- look at what I have done previously with asemic text and random mark making - spend time just doodling, using different media for marks - set time aside
- also important to have a cohesive group of marks - how and what would relate to the feminine - look at next item on list
Vessels as Feminine
- words to use for different ages of the female - make a list of words
- would vessel shapes reflect female forms - sketch possible forms
SUPPLIES
Wire: type or wire, can I use chicken wire (I have some in the shed), I will also need clippers and gloves. Perhaps I need to do this outdoors. And I will need to experiment a lot!
Canvas: I have lots of canvas and gesso and all the supplies I need. I have done this before and have the skills required.
Yarn, thread etc: I have some, I may need to dye more, I have the needles, bodkins etc. Plus the required skills.
*many more materials needed, add to list as required
With all of this written down I can plan my week into different tasks, setting up time periods to focus on research, experiments/mockups, sketching/journaling…
And yes, all this might seem "over the top" but here is a similar structure that is familiar to all of us: food! We are probably, have been for years, the main cook and meal planner? So we search through the cupboards, make the shopping list, wander through the grocery store...etc. etc. Right?
While this writing and task making may seem daunting and unnecessary, it will, in the long term help to keep you focused, keep you from repeating tasks and actually save time. You will use it as a reference for the “next step” - what you need to do to move forward. You can also use these as a “brain dump” as ideas come to you during your work - “oh, I need to remember to…”
This creation of a visible plan will also help keep our SOS at bay - wondering what that is? We’ll be discussing this in a bit…stay tuned!
Creating Time Blocks
Where and when you do your work is important to your overall creativity - we have some control over both, but not always, life can dictate our boundaries.
Each week I take my planner and put in all the "have-to" items, doctors appointments or other items that are cast in stone, then I look at blocks of time that I can use to work on my art - I like to have 2-3 hours at a time, have a break and then work some more. That suits me best - how about you?
It's important to have those blocks that can give you dedicated focus time to get deep but then a rest time for both our minds and bodies. And make those blocks sacred - no interruptions, no phone, no social media.
I am fortunate that my studio space is away from home, I drive there and work, all the other demands are at home - I can leave each place and focus on what I need.
As we work through Artists Deep Dive together this month, the pages you are reading on this site are not static. While I have spent time building the information, doing research and creating content, I will be changing my writing, adding/deleting as we go along to respond to your input, comments and questions.
One topic I would like to address this week is self-care, looking after ourselves and our well being during a time of intense focus and perhaps adjustments to our routine. If we were away in another place for our residency, say the south of France (yes, please), then we might have a change in diet, sleep patterns and surroundings.
Our month is meant to be energizing and stress-free (maybe a little stress about making design decisions) so what does self-care mean to you? Without self care we face burnout and health issues and often lose interest in our work…it just becomes too much! You might like walking, mediation, yoga, massage and these can also be times of creativity for you. Getting away from the studio to consider a colour problem, sketching ideas in the forest or chatting with friends over coffee can refresh our mindset and open new avenues of thought. I often let my mind wander over ideas just as I am preparing to sleep. My eyes are closed (no visual distractions) and my body is relaxed - though I admit that I don't always remember that perfect answer in the morning!
If you find that your Deep Dive is more about your sketchbook or journaling, then that is right for you. The preparation and foundation you are building can mean the "creating" will be more a reflection of your intention. And if you prefer not to spend time in the journaling, then thats what you need to do...
In a recent blog post I wrote that we all begin by "showing up" and sometimes that is the best for that moment. I was amazed at how much those two words resonated with the readers. You might enjoy it as well: https://www.susanpm.com/2022/12/28/just-two-words/
Just one more thing - in my Morning Pages I have been listing a couple things each day that I am grateful for. Today I wrote about the reflection of a glass of water onto my table and the smell of coffee in the morning. You might like to try this - perhaps adding it to your journal?
Knowing a bit about our personality type can help us with our art focus, help avoid pitfalls along the way and learn how others interact with us. There are many different "tests" we can take such as Myers Briggs, Human Design, Ennegrams to name a few, some are very detailed, some are weird and some just fun!
A friend mentioned Gretchen Rubin, an author, broadcaster, podcaster and "happiness expert" - her website says - Gretchen Rubin is one of today’s most influential and thought-provoking observers of happiness and human nature. An acclaimed writer, she’s known for her ability to distill and convey complex ideas with humor and clarity.
Gretch developed "The Four Tendencies" a personality framework which offers insight into how we respond to expectations—from ourselves and others—so that we can more effectively achieve our aims. A lofty goal - to be sure, but she categorizes us into Obliger, Questioner, Upholder and Rebel and through a series of a few questions, gives us some insight into our styles. I encourage you to do the questionnaire (no charge but you supply your email address) and see if you feel its helpful.
I hope we can chat a bit further next week during our Zoom call.
https://gretchenrubin.com/quiz/the-four-tendencies-quiz/
Remember that saying YES to something allows us to say NO to other things, lets do it!
Distracted? Don't Despair!
Several of you have mentioned that you suffer from SOS - Shiny Object Syndrome (or...SQUIRREL!) and it's close cousin FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out. Don't despair, with the right treatment and approach it can be over come!
It's called shiny object syndrome because it's the adult equivalent of a small child chasing after shiny objects. Once you get there and see what the object is, you immediately lose interest and start chasing the next thing. For artists, rather than literal shiny objects they may be a new kind of paint, a fancy sewing machine, a different technique or even the latest fad workshop.
How can we deal with SOS? here are some steps/processes that you can incorporate into your daily art practise:
- Slow down - think before jumping - will this make my art better, easier or more popular?
- Think opposites - what you don't do or buy can make your art better because you can dive deeply into your focus with out all the distractions. Think freedom!
- Out of sight, out of mind - turn off the notifications, don't run to the phone every time it beeps. Delete apps - I don't have any games on my cell phone for just that reason.
- Keep your social media to set times of the day, during a break or before dinner for example. Since I began writing Morning Pages, I am not browsing Facebook and Instagram as soon as I get my coffee made. Small success!
- Keep your workspace just for the work being created at that time - visual clutter is distracting.
- If possible, have a separate place or room for your studio - I love my studio because it's a 15 minute drive from my house, so I am not trying to do laundry or chat to family members.
- ...can you think of any ideas that work for you?
Remember your "mantra" that will bring you back into your work mindset-
"my focus is important and valuable"
"I have all that I need right now"
"another time, another place"
But wait...there's one more option!
Not to be confusing there is another option to use occasionally and in a controlled manner. In music, call-and-response is a compositional technique that works similarly to a conversation. A “phrase” of music serves as the “call,” and is “answered” by a different phrase of music. These phrases can be either vocal, instrumental, or both. Or it can be considered a "question" followed by and "answer" - you are not chasing something but responding to some visual clue or idea that taps you on the shoulder...
This could also be called “acknowledge and put aside/defer/set aside/reserve." After the acknowledgment the next step would be to move on with your focus. When you have time, and only then, consider this call or question.
Then there might be time to ask some questions:
-
- will it help my current focus
- will it distract from my focus
- is it useful to me and my focus
Your answers will be clear!
Another option might be to make a "play date" with yourself...set aside a couple hours in the week to explore that little idea or put the last few stitches into a piece. Or use some TV time in the evening to work on that other piece. Just make sure its under your control! You're the boss of it!
Here is the link for Week 2 Zoom Meeting - enjoy!
Let's Go Travelling!
I have mentioned art residency websites a few times and I thought it might be fun to do some exploring of different art residencies around the world. Spend some time imaginging where you might like to go and what different opportunities are available to you.
So here's the exercise:
Go to a couple of these sites and see how you might search by region, subject, opportunities and criteria.
https://www.artconnect.com/opportunities/residencies
https://www.artjobs.com/open-calls/residencies
https://www.transartists.org/en/what-are-residencies
https://artistcommunities.org/directory/residencies?page=3
When you have chosen 3-4 opportunities, research their criteria, submission/application proposals and consider if they might be a good fit for you. Your choices can be imaginary (as in you wouldn't actually apply - just having fun) or realistic - would you apply and what is holding you back? Remember that not all residencies are for professional level artists with very high expectations - there are choices for everyone! Several previous students have applied and been accepted for residencies.
These are the ones I've attended in 2024:
