Getting Unstuck

commercial fabrics overpainted with Setacolor transparent paints

Do you ever feel really stuck as an artist? This has been my feeling for the last two months or so.

Perfectionism always rears its ugly head when I'm feeling blocked, preventing me from even attempting anything new. Will I fail? Will I produce something terrible? What will others think?

These are some of the thoughts that plague me.

For me, being preoccupied is the problem and, although it is certainly unavoidable at times, it does break the flow of work, which can be hard to get back in to.

I've decided to take the bull by the horns and have committed myself to two hours of studio time each day. It can be done in chunks, or in one continuous swoop, but two hours it will be.

I know that this will get me back into the swing of things. It will be my priority and I hope to be sharing some new work with you. Today I began my journey, changed up the format of my blog and started a new picture.

Feels good!

Have a lovely Sunday!

Warmly,

Judy

Getting back to Normal

I'm feeling better and planning some new artwork. My good friend Debbie brought me this wonderful sunflower and it looks magnificent on my mantle! What a cheerful flower!

There's a new paper cut on my other blog, Paper Perks, and you can see it here!

Thanks to all for your very good wishes! I'm doing great!

Warmly,

Judy

Happenings Along the Way

Bill and I were in Toronto last weekend, visiting our daughter in her new home. After a flurry of shopping, exploring and visiting, we prepared for our return to Boston. I didn't feel well, developed a fever and chills, so we delayed our homecoming by a day. Upon arriving home, I discovered that my leg was bright red and swollen, and we were off to the hospital before we had even unpacked!
It turned out to be a strep infection and I spent the rest of the week on IV antibiotics. Here are some of the accoutrements in my hospital room, including a little spider I watched crawling around the wall for hours!

I'm back home, still recuperating, but feeling much better!!

Hope all my blogging friends are doing well and having a great weekend!

Judy

Fiber Art Circles

The fiber arts group I belong to had a challenge a while back - use circles in a piece of artwork.

I immediately thought of Kandinsky's 'Farbstudie Quadrate' and I attempted a fiber version of the work. This gave me an opportunity to use every embellishment I could lay my hands on to try to give the illusion of Kandinsky's painterly images.

I was never happy with it and, in the process of my recent studio cleanup, I cut the squares apart, divided them into two sections and mounted them on black and green felt. That's as far as I'll take this project, but it was a fun experiment!

Wassily Kandinsky - Farbstudie Quadrate

Have a great weekend everyone!

Judy

Organizing Progress!

It's amazing to me, after four weeks of hard work, that I can finally walk through my studio without tripping over something! Hiding storage has given me a more serene environment in which to work. The semi-sheer curtains on my closet keep the shelves and supplies out of sight but are easily moved aside when I need something. I still have a way to go, more boxes to purge, but I'm very happy with how far I've come! Couldn't have done it without my coach, Sallie Felton. Thank you. Sallie!

A Lovely Day

Thirty-two years ago

today,

Bill and I were married.

He wore a blue tux and a frilly shirt.

I wore a simple gown and veil I had made myself.

Today we returned to the "scene of the crime"

for a lovely lunch.

We are two

very lucky

people.

Love you, Hon.

A Work in Progress

I've been working away at reorganizing my studio and downsizing my fabric stash.  My work table is now clean, with tools on hand, and skirted with light colored fabric which hides storage drawers underneath. I've given away 5 good sized boxes of fabric, some of it thirty years old!

The process is doing many things for me, aside from creating more physical space. I feel like I'm making room for new ideas and new insights. This lightening of my load feels very liberating and, although it has been hard work, I'm so glad I decided to do it. I still have much to do, but this photo shows a sunny, tranquil spot which welcomes me every morning and inspires me to think creatively.

I'll post about the project on the table very soon!!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Judy