The Big Idea
I have lots of small ideas. Hundreds. They have to shuffle themselves around so I can find room to work and focus on one or two (or three) at a time. That’s great. I’m not complaining. If I never have a new idea again I’ve probably got enough to keep me going and making for quite some time.
But these are small ideas. I flit about.
And then suddenly I have found I have a BIG IDEA. It scares me, and I’m pushing it back, but it won’t go away.
I think it’s a good idea. It’s got “legs” as they say. I’m talking to people about it. My friends like it, but they may just be being polite.
This is the first idea I’ve had that I’m going to need serious financial help with. That’s made me panic a bit too. I read the Arts Council web pages, then need to lie down in a darkened room.
I have an artist on one shoulder telling me to do it. Then goodness knows what else on the other shoulder telling me to get over myself and forget it.
Tricky huh?
in case you are interested, this week I seem to be only listening to music beginning with A…. Adem, Agnes Obel, Angus and Julia Stone, Aqualung…
I’ve just spent a bit of time reviewing whose blogs I’ve been reading here and why. The “threads” of my title seems apt. I am drawn to those who have similar thoughts, rather than those who work in similar materials to me, or have similar outcomes. This shouldn’t surprise me.
My thoughts range across the ideas of collaboration, philosophy, isolation, my online presence, and just how to manage being an artist without bankrupting myself.
here’s the list:
(in no particular order)
Jane Boyer – Working in Isolation
Nicola Dale – The Collaborator
Tamarin Norwood – What the Matter is
Julie Dodd – Day to Day Life
Hayley Harrison – Something’s Happening
I notice they are all women.
Is that merely coincidence?
A question… would any of you artists and musicians be interested in retreating to my shed, placed in beautiful surroundings, in order to make art, think, write, play?
This is a general, as well as specific query. At the moment merely market research. I’m interested in your thoughts…
I’m having a small operation on Wednesday. Afterwards I have this vision that I will be able to use my recovery time to catch up on the reading: “Noddy Understands Deleuze” and so on, see earlier post. I also think I’m going to spend Tuesday machining stuff together, so I’m able to sit and hand sew later.
In reality, I suspect I will do little reading, and will probably spend my time doing some hand quilting for fun instead.
I have no will power!
I’d like to ask a question. What’s wrong with obviousness?
The way I work is, I think, akin to play. I have an idea, or find some materials or one thing suggests another. I work with textiles mainly, so I get out the scissors, pins, needle and thread or sewing machine. I then construct things, I might write or embroider some text on a piece of clothing. Recently I embroidered some text I’d written about how I’m feeling a bit ragged lately, and perhaps in need of repair. I stitched it onto a worn out petticoat. I alluded to the underneath-ness of it, covered with a respectable-ness. I quite like it… but it is obvious. I find myself thinking I could be more obtuse. I could make my audience work a little harder perhaps.
But in making one part of an audience work harder, you lose some of the others who are drawn in by the accessibility of the work. I want to keep these people. I like them.
