Untitled – in progress. c2018-Christine Hager-Braun
For the past four years I have created predominantly abstract landscapes with strong horizontal lines. These quilts all have a feeling of serenity and peacefulness.
Although I enjoy making these pieces something pulls me towards the direction of true abstract, beyond the abstract but still recognizable landscapes.
I have been thinking about these new designs for months but never had the courage to make them. A good friend of mine told me that I should give myself the permission to play, try a few pieces and just see how they come along. If I enjoy the finished products. If the process is the way I envision it in theory. If I find the work worth my while. If I can see myself working in this style in the long run.
I hesitated. I wasn’t sure. I had self-doubts. But I also realized that these ideas didn’t go away. They kept coming up in my sketches. Eventually, I decided to give myself the permission to play no matter how “good” the outcome would be.
By now I have created several small pieces. So far, all of them are unfinished. Some I plan to finish, others are more experimental in terms of techniques and will not be finished. I learned my lessons from them, and that’s a good thing. One lesson was that some technical problems cannot be solved on a small scale. Hence, I’m currently working on a large piece. Target size is about 36″ high x 48″ wide (the image shows a detail of this art quilt). The large scale allows me to play with different aspects of the process. I’m learning more as I assemble the small pieces of the top.
Whenever we try something new, something unfamiliar, there are moments of uncertainty and of struggle. At the same time, however, there are moments of excitement and exhilaration. Right now, the later feelings dominate.
I have plenty of ideas to explore. Thus, I will continue to give myself the permission to play, enjoy the moment and see where all of this will lead me on this journey of discoveries.
