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| Please appreciate that I don't have my camera. This is me taking a picture by hovering the laptop over the cutting table. Thank you for your consideration. |
At this moment I'm making my first otoshiana from Pattern Magic. That's a fancy word for a sculpted hole. And when I say "from" what I mean is, I didn't read the instructions or measure anything or do the prep part by making one out of paper, I just stared at the pictures then started cutting out my own. If I have my way it will end up in a skirt. If I don't you'll never hear about it again.
Speaking of never, and never saying it, I picked up my copy of The Sound of Paper by Julia Cameron yesterday - not to read, but to toss into the giveaway pile. Then I opened it up and read this line: "Artists love other artists. And part of what we love is their courage." Of course I instantly thought of all the wonderful support other artists have offered to me this week, just because I opened up enough to talk about my petty struggles. And this courage has been, in a way I didn't quite have words for, what I love about so many other makers (of all sorts) and what they do - their willingness to show up, and to not only make, but to actually push their creations out into the world. Once you start taking these chances yourself, respect for others and humility blooms in all directions. Yay. I need to remember this connection.
So ... I'm going to read it! I never quite clicked with The Artist's Way. When I found it it didn't address my resistance enough to keep my attention. I never like saying that out loud because so many other people dig it, but I'll start with this book and who knows, maybe back slowly up to that one too.
This was not an ad for Amazon dot com. It just came out this way.
I adore your way with words and scissors. Just fund your blog.I visited your studio several years ago and was charmed. For what it's worth I have never been able to get past the first few pages in The Artists Way either but so many people credit it with changing their creative life. Best wishes and let us know how it goes!
ReplyDeleteI have lurked at your blog for some time, busily envying your name, as is my wont. For the record, I hated "The Artists' Way" with a passion, and still do. My business partner credits it with the total dumbing down of the arts and how people percieve artists in general. I don't know about that. I only know I picked it up in a used bookstore because it had a cool Zen looking cover, and read it, and hate it and the philosophy it espouses with a passion.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile I go to investigate this "otoshiana" business, and hope yours is a success, because I want to see it.
Have fun with the hole. The measurements look more complex that what has to be created- the hole. Look forward to seeing it.
ReplyDeleteThanks drawntoletters - I will let you know. And I'm still in the Delavan, just down the hall - visit again some time!
ReplyDeleteWhimsical I wish I could have coffee with you and your business partner, I would love to hear your strong opinions about it! I'm not sure why this other one appeals to me - but I'll give you a report when I'm further into it.
And thanks urbandon. I ended up altering it - of course - and leaving a larger floppy collar around the outside of it, so it isn't as architectural as the ones in the book - also of course because I used cotton jersey. But it wasn't too hard to make one without measuring so I'm hoping to make some out of more structured fabric soon and see how that goes.
It's been fun chatting! -helen