I’m on a ‘Mission’ to make a Statement
I’ve been thinking… a LOT of thinking! I really need to figure out some things. It has taken a lot of conversations with myself but I believe I’m coming to some valuable conclusions. I’m on a ‘Mission’ to make a Statement; A Mission Statement.
Hello, it’s me Barb; I am an artist. Yes, I have been one for decades (a couple more than I’d like to count). From what I’ve seen on the WWW most bloggers have some different objectives than I, so let’s take a look back for a bit.
Direction? which way to go?
Well, it’s now been a few years that I have been sharing my projects on this site. I don’t really like calling myself a ‘blogger’ for some reason. I’d rather put myself in a different category. Hmmm, why; well it might be the fact that I came into this creative venture from a specific direction. I want to have a direction; one that is clear to you and also me.
Being an artist; I had worked for many clients as an illustrator, specifically a technical illustrator. I spent many long hours hunched over a desk creating ‘flat’ art that explained things that were often in need of technical drawings. Don’t get me wrong, I loved every minute of it (except the crazy deadlines and 2am’s) I worked from home even though there wasn’t a pandemic! It was pretty consistent work and always quite interesting.
This type of artwork means I have a good understanding of form, structure and architecture. Actually; I painted many concepts of buildings that needed to be quite exact to plans. It was very meticulous but also meant that there was a pretty consistent need for more. Detail and specifics is my nature even when I don’t want it to be.
I loved and still do love painting… but hate trying to sell in a gallery. Making pieces of art and having it hang for a long time without anyone jumping at it is hard to bear. That is why commercial art is so much better as they can’t get it fast enough. Once you put your heart and soul into a piece it’s hard to let it go.
My oil paintings hang on my walls… They are my specific scenes that have some emotional attachment to me. Lately I have been reflecting back and really looking at all that I have done through the years. When I flip through my extensive photo gallery I almost get nauseous from how much there is! ‘Busy’ isn’t quite the word. However, I’m seeing a definite common thread.
The feelings of sheer joy and calm when walking in nature comes out in my paintings. My goal is to capture the wonderful shadows and colours within the combination of trees, sky and ground with everything else in harmony. Somehow I would gravitate back to these themes each time.
In this post I am looking to see if I actually have a deliberate direction. Some days I feel like I am trying to head into too many directions and had wondered if I was too diverse. Let me look back and see how it will affect the mission statement.
Mother Nature Comes to help
How exciting it was to discover that there is a way for Mother Nature to actually aid in the printing of natural foliage! That has opened a whole new avenue for me. It is somewhat mysterious so that keeps one interested as well. This allowed me to be more active, use more media and get outside more often!
It feels much better to be in ‘nature’; observing all the species of leaves and learning about them and not just painstakingly using paint. It is sheer magic when all the elements decide to ‘dance’ together.! Through all the use of fabrics I also noticed my return to my love of sewing, something that is a staple in my life.
Pretty & Practical:
Yes, it’s nice to make pretty things but it’s extra great when the pretty things have a purpose! Again that must be something I absorbed from my mother’s wisdom of living through a war. And you do remember that Scarlet Ohara made a dress from curtains?! Well, I’m close; blankets becoming slippers and jackets.
Nature printed in another way:
Pottery was always something I loved in grade school but setting up a kiln seemed like too much. Well, it might not be a perfect substitute but I like a challenge so I’ve pushed the limits of using concrete, and boy has it been fun! I challenge the media in all directions without following any of the typical rules. My motto is; ‘try it and see’ and keep trying until it makes you happy.
Orbs and other simple forms become interesting with texture from nature. ‘We’ work together accepting of each other and in appreciation. There’s a sense of calm since little stresses of technology are not playing any part here. Yes I know… I should post on social media more! Honestly I really do hope to very soon.
From leaves to rocks to geodes… there’s so much bountiful beauty to inspire you. It’s almost like when you admire all the details of a gem but here you are the one creating the gem; you are in control.
If you have a good idea why keep it constrained? Often the greatest ideas come from ‘mashing’ ideas together. Don’t discount ideas before you give them a chance. Design in all avenues has always been my passion. I completely enjoy the opportunity to ‘design’ wherever I can. Watching and observing gives a sense of awareness, so that improvements can be made. ‘Observation skills’ in drawing and life are priceless; take the time to really being aware of what is around you.
What worked well in concrete seemed like a good variation to try with polymer clay. That makes it easy enough if you are limited in your work space or media. Using what you have instead of buying makes for a better world. Nature has a way of creating beauty without to much contrived perfection – I love that! It also makes it quite easy to simulate.
Don’t limit your canvas:
This is quite the ‘mash-up’ to combine geodes in upholstery and paint! They are holding strong for years now! Really, now you can sit on art work.
Yyou can be in control of the colours and patterns you want instead of looking all over for them sine they are easier to make than find. Yup, I am a bit of a control-freak in that sense;
No fancy painting skills:
As you may notice the skills needed to paint most of the projects are quite easy. Simple dry-brushing and antiquing will bring quite surprising results.
Can you believe it? No mold needed & ridiculous details. I can’t take credit for the textures; thanks to ‘Mother Nature’.
Ok, I know this fellow has made it around the world via the ‘net and he still watches over me every day. I credit him for being the first concrete draping project to get me started…
Well, the practicality of sewing and the knowledge of form allowed me to offer patterns. These patterns were specific to the pandemic but I did enjoy the challenge of mapping them out.
So many people have written to me about how happy they have been with them and I hope I’ve done a part in keeping people safe. I’m happy to say there have been 163,655 downloads as of today! I hope that means a lot of happy sewists. I’ve come to some conclusions through this backward journey.
MY MISSION STATEMENT:
To provide everyone the inspiration and knowledge to make unique creations that give a sense of pride.
Let me know what you think… How have I helped you?
I have been super happy to find your site. I appreciate your mission statement. I have recently tried hard to look at my work as a body of work, to write an artist statement. You seem to be doing much the same. Passion shows. I do find it terribly distracting though to try to read your post with all the adds between each paragraph. It detracts from your statements.
Thank you. It all depends how a site can sustain itself. Unfortunately the ads revenue are what keeps me able to do this site. Between web servers, site maintenance and supplies the costs ad up. I grapple with the ideas of selling pdf’s or eBooks to help keep it going.
Hello
What a deep and disclosing mission you have been on, you seem almost excusing yourself for not deciding to be a sculptor, and sticking with it. You remind me of Da Vinci, as soon as you have uncovered the mystery and wonder of a medium or technique, another several come crowding in, suggesting – “what if?”
You are undoubtedly very talented, and please believe me – entitled to explore any idea that pushes itself forward. I love your work, in every last one of its facits.
Regards and respect Dawn
I just referenced davinci one minute ago! How coincidental! Some people aspire to travel the world, but I want to try ever media in some creative form, that’s my ‘travel’. It’s hands-on, not just a visual admiration for a place.
Hi, Barb! I stumbled onto your sight early in the pandemic while looking for mask patterns. I made hundreds. By hand. No sewing machine. Gave most to family and friends, kept the best for me and the hubby, and even sold a few. Your design (center left on your pick a pattern graphic) with a few additions and Kaffe Fassett fabric and those masks get compliments all the time!– and I give you credit for the great design!
I’m more crafty than artistic and my strengths otherwise run to writing, rather than drawing. But finding you&your blog was like finding a friend I didn’t know I had! So, friend, keep up the all the good work. Love your work and your words; any direction you take will be terrific.
I am impressed! I don’t know if I would sew so many by hand, but I am always in type of a hurry since I’m trying to get more done! Kudos to you! Any creative avenue will give you a sense of accomplishment and I’m happy to inspire!
You are my inspiration for exploration. I am primarily a weaver. But between warps I love to try so many of the projects you create. And now I find myself seeing potential for art in the most mundane objects. Makes taking a walk an exercise in creativity. Thanks for your generosity in sharing all you do.
Wow, that’s great to hear! Once you exercise that part of the brain you will get more and more creative! Just sometimes I can’t turn it off, when I try to sleep. I wonder what it was like in the brains of some of the great masters like Davinci, how amazing it must have been.
I was getting worried as I was reading. I thought you were going to close up shop! I enjoy seeing how creative you are and fearless you are. I feel that I have absorbed a little of this as I have had failures in sewing projects and other crafty endeavors but turned them into something else that I ended up loving even more than my original intention.
Thanks again for sharing with us … even if we don’t always comment 🙂
Oh, sometimes when I grow weary of all that is involved with this site I joke about ‘death by blog’. Making, photos, editing, writing, posting, web maintenance, it’s a lot of work. On the plus side; I’m my own boss with this, but I’m a pushy boss… 🤣
Wow! Love your mission statement. I have been following you for quite a few years and love everything you do. You are an amazing artist and I am so inspired by you. As I move toward retirement and more me time I plan to make and try everything you have done. Until now I have been living vicariously. Thank you for your generosity. Only the best for 2022.
Gail🇨🇦
It’s going to be quite a year again… my other knee surgery was postponed due to omicron so I can’t make too definite plans. But, I’ll work with what I have & appreciate that. Yes, retirement sounds like it will be fun!
Hi
I think you’re an amazing artist and so wonderful for sharing your ideas for free! I like to do crafts but unfortunately I don’t have the imagination or talent for it😛But with your help I mad a concrete step spook and I absolutely love it (plus it given me so many positive comments from friends ☺️). Next I’m about to try out to make some concrete orbs.
Thanks so much for sharing your artwork❤️
That’s great! I’m always happy when I can inspire someone. I probably don’t really know how many step spooks are all over the world! Happy concreting!
HI Barb, I wrote an artist’s statement several years ago and lost it (it’s here somewhere…). I think it’s so important to contemplate these issues. You have a strong teaching component which so many of us appreciate! I am someone also who branches out to try new things.
I never gave ‘mission statements’ much thought. It was only when I would be in my studio space and my head would spin… what was I going to do today, that I felt like I should organize it. Too many directions and trying too many can be counter productive. A plan is always better.
Perfect mission statement. Thanks for all the instruction, inspiration, and encouragement you provide through your generous sharing of your own artistic path.
It makes my day to hear that, especially during a pandemic & dreary grey winter! WooHoo! Happy making!
I am truly inspired and feel blessed to have read this. For a long time, I thought something was wrong with me…..I couldn’t focus and was all too excited about making anything and everything. Some tried to box me in jewelry and while I love it, it’s not my all and all. I thought I had an attention deficit disorder because I was always interested in making things whether jewelry or fabric related or just any craft. Now I see that there are others like yourself who are just makers although you are fabulous at everything you do! Thanks for putting this out there and now my goal is to put up my own blog.
Well, I suppose there are many like us! I thought I had ADD too but it was just my excitement to make stuff! During my younger years I needed to ‘work’ for others and raise my kids. I finally feel free enough to do the things I want, within a degree. Yes, making a blog can work for you but let me just say; be prepared to put a lot of work before you see any real return from it. I think I’m at 7 years now and it’s been quite a ride. It does give you a way to connect though which is like no other.
Barb,
You are an endless source of inspiration! I first “found” you when looking for a good fitting mask pattern for a person who wears glasses. I’ve played around with concrete, too, and want to try your projects. I’ve been saving Styrofoam to make a waterfall when the weather warms up. Thank you for sharing your genius so freely and graciously!1
Before you know it you’ll be saving all kinds of things for a second ‘creative’ life. I’m looking at my waterfall right now under almost a foot of snow. ‘Can’t wait til spring!