Maintaining An Art Practice
It takes a creative a mind, a healthy body and passion to maintain an art practice. I focus on all three through out my week, week after week.
Creative Mind
I confess one way I maintain a creative mind is playing games. I tend not to follow trends, so I don’t start my day with Wordle. I do challenge myself to The New York Times mini crossword puzzle. Love how crossword clues encourage non-linear thinking. I subscribe to Pogo.com. This service must have more than 50 games and they provide daily, weekly and even monthly challenges. Since I love a good challenge, it forces me to try games I might not try otherwise. I come back for the variety and novelty.
Healthy Body
Just as I play a variety of games, I do a variety of activities to maintain a healthy body. Working in a studio requires flexibility, stamina and even muscles. I exercise before I hit the studio. Today the Senior Executive Director of Studio Operations and I did one of our regular 90 minutes walking circuits. This provides fresh air, a chance to chat and natural exercise. When the weather makes such a walk difficult, I turn to a variety of online classes, such as yoga, barre and even strength training.
Passion
How do I fuel my passion? Honestly, I barely have to work at this. If I were asked do you make art to live or live to make art, I might just answer yes. Creating art, for the most part, is a solitary practice. This suits me. However, without external input I can imagine my passion fizzling. Therefore, I make it a point to join groups of artists who meet regularly. I also read about art, watch documentaries about art and go to exhibitions. I simply gravitate to all things art related and my passion is naturally maintained.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge
I began quilting my 2022 Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt this week. I was tempted to do a loose all over mid-size stippling pattern using a variegated thread in rainbow colors. Why? Because it is easy and fast. However, if you know me, easy and fast aren’t in my art practice vocabulary. Instead, I have opted to do rainbow arcs in each of the featured color sections. So, this means thread changes. Sigh!
I’m linking up to the following posts:
Your quilting is magnificent! Are you going to quilt in the white squares?
Thank you, Norma. Yes, my plan is to quilt in the white sections and the black diamonds. The current plan is to FMQ leaves on vine in the white sections and a rose in the black diamonds.
Likening the arc quilting to the rainbow for the RSC was a clever way to go. The thread changes will be worth your effort, Gwyned!
Glad you agree with my FMQ choice. Thank you for stopping by.
Your quilting is beautiful! Can’t wait how you quilt the rest of the block.
Thank you, Kathy. In fact I spent Friday afternoon playing with an idea I have for the black diamonds and white background. I think it will work.
Great job with your RSC quilt! I love your thoughts on self care and mindful art practices. Your quilting in each block is lovely!
Dawn, thank you for your generous and kind comments.
WOW! looking wonderful!
Thank you, Pat.
Your RSC top looks great, and the quilting is terrific!
Thank you, Vireya. Very generous of you to say.
Your practice of creative mind healthy body, and passion is wonderful. Congrats on your RSC22 quilt. It’s beautiful.
Thank you, Sandy. Very kind of you to say.
What beautiful quilting! You are making great progress so far.
Thank you, Angela. No surprise, I really enjoy the Zen of free motion quilting.