I tend to spend time creating organizational lists of what I need to do, and thanks to the many cool apps out there, lists of lists, even. It is easier to feel more in control of the chaos that is my life if stuff is at least written down in an organized manner. The snails pace at which I crawl through items is a reality I've yet to accept.
I tend to live in a state of semi-abstract reflection and gathering mode, with textile art pieces coming together in very serendipitous ways. It is like they need to be "discovered" as much as created. If an idea is too planned out or predictable in my mind, it tends to be a non-starter. Today at school as I was frantically chopping paper as I prepare student work for the district ArtsFest exhibit, an idea came into my mind full force, fully bloomed. I have an art history timeline wrapping around my room and was in front of a photo of Stonehenge, as it hung above my paper cutter. Last summer I created a large piece of fabric featuring Stonehenge from one of the color slides I rescued from the recycle center last spring. I've been holding off on doing something with it as I wasn't sure. Then today, BAM, I saw it. I know the piece needs text, but couldn't really figure out what exactly the piece was trying to say. A few lines let themselves be known as I measured and cut on autopilot. I scribbled it down, shoved it in my pocket, and hope it makes it into my sketchbook before it accidentally gets tossed in the washer. So now the big graphic piece has some accompanying text, and there are other images and materials that are bubbling around in my brain for developing different areas. Hmmmm.....so many possibilities!
My sketchbook is my messy house, my busy life, my many connections with wonderful people and animals. All the separate pieces of life that long to be collected in one place. Instead of a sketchbook, these fragments end up in larger works. I'd love to sit and draw more and believe wholeheartedly in the benefits. But I'd need another lifetime to do it. Cheers!