Does it ever happen to you that you have an idea, but it feels like it’s only a seed that needs more cultivation to grow into a mature idea?
It can happen to me for my artwork.
I decided to participate in a challenge to celebrate creativity. I declared publicly (!) that I will spend 30 days working on my art. I’m ready to overcome the lack of consistency in my art practice, which hit me – like so many other creatives – as the uncertainty of the pandemic unfolded around us.
As a preparation for my commitment, I’m developing an idea for a new series.
Typically, I create my fiber art intuitively on the design wall. Sometimes, however, I realize that my idea has not reached its full potential. I still need to spend more time on it and with it.
That’s when I sit down to sketch. Lots of sketches exploring the question “What if?”. There is a process of refinement. Sometimes one idea leads to another, expanding the subject matters. At other times, I dig deeper into one topic, focusing on a narrower interpretation. Over time, my idea emerges with greater clarity. Sketching allows me to take my thoughts from conceptualization to visualization.
I’m fully aware that none of the sketches will turn into actual art pieces, at least not the way they are on paper. Most of the time I only use the concept, the essence of the idea, and create the actual artwork on my design wall, giving myself the liberty to change colors or composition.
The overall process for my artistic expression can be summarized as:
✔ Idea – I want to declare my take on a topic or experience.
✔ Sketch – I draft my statement.
✔ Creating the artwork – I articulate my point of view through my visual voice.
✔ Exhibition – I establish my story in public.
How do you develop the seed of an idea into a full project as you express yourself through creativity?
Christine
