While at Mass. Art years ago doing my undergraduate Fiber Art degree, I made fabric sculptures. A life size set of people adorned T.T. the Bear's club in Cambridge, MA for a few years, and I remember several large organic figures made from painted muslin, stuffing and stitched pantyhose material. Love the wrinkled features made this way. I remember making a painted bust figure that was, literally, a bust. I made muslin quilted coats and hand painted them. I made sculptures of mummy cases, ancient Egyptian gods, and guitars. I did a lot of three dimensional work before getting nestled in two dimensional quilted artwork. So much experimentation and energy at trying out ideas back then!
Once I settled on making flat fabric images, my path was set. Lately though I am feeling like making more dimensional work, but can't latch on to the energy and experimental fearlessness I had as an undergraduate art student. Part of me wants to stay the "Productive" course and produce work in forms that have been successful for me on the past. Another part of me is bored silly and wants to play. With limited time and energy on my hands, it is hard to give myself the freedom to move away from what I "expect" myself to make, and what might be exciting creative paths to explore. I have a strong suspicion that once I deviate from my norm, I will be more excited about my art and the energy will come. At least I tell myself this, as if it doesn't happen my 2D quilted art will still be in the same place, anyway.
I think it is really important as an artist to honor that little voice that gives a nudge in a new direction. Maybe it is a new technique, material, or object type that starts the ball rolling. It is important to crack the shell of who we are creatively to find out what is lurking underneath. To take chances that the art will not meet our personal expectations. To try new ideas, and accept failure as part of the process. To shake it up and see where the pieces settle.
Housework be damned, I'm going to sew today. What will you create today?