Ups and Downs

Life has been interesting - lots of ups and downs and too much work. I'm back on track now and plowing through both the adminstrivia that's required to get a big event off the ground and have also picked up the pieces of the work in the studio. There's some evidence posted on the other blog. I have the 'safe' work out of my system and am definitely ready to move toward the weird.

I have a pattern drafted for a large vessel. I am going to go ahead and test it without developing the meaning. Right now it is more important to see it done and know whether the construction works than creating something interesting to look at.

Committed

At 7:15 this morning I was working upstairs and, as I reached for a needle, I accidentally knocked a bobbin off the table. It rolled under the table where it would be difficult to retrieve. For a moment I thought about leaving it there. But then my commitment to cleaning up as I go kicked in so I got down on my hands and knees and retrieved it. I then gave myself another pat on the back.

Something else interesting happened in working on one of my Inspired by CFT pieces. I'll wait and tell the story on that blog but it points to more fun, less angst in the future.

In my dreams

George and I are talking about building a home - a place that fits the way we live and which will allow us to stay at home as long as we can as we age. There will be a small central core - big enough for a great room and kitchen and a bedroom/bath. The rest of the house will be set up to accommodate our interests. There will be a large 'clean' wing for his office and studio and storage space for me, and a 'dirty' wing for our metal workshop, bike repair and storage. Somewhere in there we'll fit in a space which will triple as bike wash, dog wash and dyeing space for me. And we will build in an apartment for a dog, and then person, caretaker.

We are still in the "I wish" stages - before we find out how much our dreams will cost. Today I decided that I want enough space so I can leave photography gear set up. It is such a pain to get out the lights and the tripod and get everything lined up and level just to take one or two pictures. My dreams might never come true, though, so I am determined to keep hauling everything out over and over again on the theory that repetition and practice will reduce the time involved and improve the quality of the final photos.

Rejection

Today I learned that neither of the two pieces which I submitted to the SAQA My Corner of the World - Canada show were selected by the juror. I was struck that my first reaction was relief. I think there are several reasons for that response. First, it is clear from seeing the work that was selected that the juror had a very clear vision for this show and that my small p political and quite negative pieces did not fit that vision. Don't get me wrong - I am truly happy for those whose work was selected and for the fact that the juror did have a grand plan. Second, neither of my pieces has a hanging sleeve yet and I didn't want to take the time to stitch one on. Third, and most important, I feel like I have found my 'thing' with the Inspired by CFT series. I have three done now although the last two haven't been photographed. I am quickly moving to the point where I can imbue what I make with the questions and answers that the series represents. In addition, I am working on another big project - stand-alone vessels - in parallel. If either of my pieces had been selected for the My Corner of the World show I would have been distracted and tempted to go down the roads that they suggest.

Now, I am on my own, able to do what I want. And that's the way I like it.

One of my current responsibilities is to be regional representative for SAQA in Atlantic Canada. Although it is not part of the 'job description' I feel a strong responsibility to encourage members to grow as artists and to take risks to increase their learning, and if they want, their profile. I am delighted that seven of the forty artists selected were from this region. On a per capita basis that is a stellar outcome.

What a good girl am I

Two days in and I am putting away everything I take out. I teach about behaviour change so I know it will take many months before that becomes a habit. But I also know that reinforcement will increase the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated. Since there isn't anyone else to provide that reinforcement, I'll pat myself on my back.

I am also pleased that I have completed (and I do mean completed - facings are sewn down, threads removed, photograph done) the first in a series I will be working on for the next year. I decided to create a blog for that work. Frankly, it will be easier for me to go back there to find out what I have done than it would be to search my own files. I can store photos, technique info and keep a written record of the what and why of my activities.

You can find the blog here. I will post sporadically so if you are interested use the widget in the right sidebar to receive the posts via email.

Decks are cleared

I have spent the last few days getting ready for my new year. It will be a busy time and I wanted to start it with clean spaces and a clear mind. So I have deep cleaned my studio space - sorted the pins and thread and interfacing and restacked all of the fabric -  and have developed a plan to deal with all the other rooms. The plan involves 15 minute blocks of work with specified tasks for each block. It is working so far and I find myself wanting to work beyond the allotted time. But I don't - too much of anything turns out to be a bad idea.

I have also purchased a couple of planners to help me stay on track during the year. The world of planners has changed dramatically since I was in the business world. There are lots of choices and many of them have been created by indie designers. I finally settled on the Simplified Planner for my personal life, medical appointments, SAQA business and Close to Home organization. I liked the Simplified Planner because it gives me many things that I want without distracting extras. I like that there is a two page month-at-a-glance spread at the beginning of each section and that there is a page allocated to each day. The day pages contains a column for appointments and a column which is a checkable to-do list. The Day Designer is similar but it's very difficult to obtain in Canada

I decided on the Get to Work Book for my artwork and my interactions with my mentor. It is designed around the concept that you have projects to complete and there are lots of ways to record progress toward your goals.

All of this planning to plan takes a certain outlook - a belief in new starts and confidence that I have what it takes. As I prepare my annual inspirational indoor cycling class for January 2 I have decided to include this song. It seems to fit my thinking of the last week.

Rich Aucoin is a Nova Scotian artist. Look up his other music - he is really good. And ignore the images in the video - I don't have a clue what they mean.

Film fest

Last year, before I went into the hospital, I signed up for Netflix. I thought it might come in handy if I tried to use my iPad and headphones to block out hospital sights and sounds. I was right. I ended up binge watching House of Cards, at least until I became totally disgusted with the evil behavior of the protagonists. Most nights when the nurses came in for their checks I was awake and would discuss plot points with them.

I have watched my fair share of series since then. Mad Men and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt have been my favourites. But mostly I watch documentaries. I have learned a lot about chefs and bike riders and silly adventurers. In general, I have found the subjects amusing but forgettable. There are exceptions to that pattern, though. I have seen three films that have stuck with me, two in the last week. For some reason they seem like a package - an interesting amalgam of images and themes. If you choose to watch all three I suggest that you view them in this, or the reverse, order.

Gerhard Richter Painting

This article in Border Crossings summarizes the film and why you might want to watch it. I loved the scenes of Richter painting. I knew nothing about his technique and my immediate reaction was to think how much fun it must be. But the film makes it clear that it is very hard work. The director did an excellent job of conveying the universal nature of the struggles inherent in creating art. I was most struck by the way in which Richter considers the question of "When is it done?".

If you can't access the film through iTunes or Netflix here's a short video of Richter at work.





Salt of the Earth

This film documents the career of Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado. I had never heard of him and found his monochrome images breathtaking. For me they were a master class in the use of value. I intend to buy at least one of his books so that I can revisit his talent. The film itself tells the story of the impact of his work on Salgado and the ways in which he is forced to accommodate to those effects. It is ultimately a hopeful story.




This TED talk tells his story and lets you see some more of his images.





Tyke Elephant Outlaw

Warning: this is a disturbing film but that's why you should see it. The filmmakers set out to understand the life of Tyke, an African elephant who killed her trainer and then escaped into the streets of Honolulu in 1994. She was ultimately killed by the police. When that footage is shown near the beginning of the movie I couldn't watch and had to fast forward. By the end, I could see that her murder ended her pain and could watch all the way through.

Here is the trailer. It contains a few seconds of graphic footage.


I don't think this trailer gives you a good sense of the filmmakers' point of view so don't use it to determine whether you want to watch the documentary.


If you don't have Netflix, check iTunes or your library or, in Canada, the CBC to see whether they offer these films.