I meant to finish this collage from the last lesson in this series over the weekend but I wasn't feeling it. As I sorted through the paper scraps I was to use, I felt myself losing interest, tired of working with these papers and not particularly liking that we were to leave narrow spacing between pieces and then "join" them with thin strips. Even not happy working in the bigger 5 inch space. I was relatively happy with the first layer arrangement so started gluing pieces down that I was sure of, then walked away.
By Tuesday I was ready to finish this up whether I liked it or not, but something had changed since the last time I'd worked on it. Better attitude with less negativity about the spacings. I finalized the last few pieces, then idly placed a narrow strip over one section that went edge to edge. Hmmm - I think I like that. I even found a place to use two slivers trimmed off another piece, saved only because Kat had said to save even the smallest pieces. Of course, I scoffed at that at the time as I watched the demo and her tiny pieces, but now these slivers were perfect to fill a gap. I chose more long strips and a few short ones to complete joinings of the base layer and I was done - happy to have found places for some of the envelop security papers and another dark green.
Since finishing, I remembered something Kat said during a Q & A. Unlike what so many tell us to do when we don't feel in the right frame of mind and everything seems an effort - just keep going anyway - she admitted to times when nothing seemed to work and she just had to walk away knowing that whatever she ended up with when in that frame of mind would not be good work, no matter how hard she worked at it. My experience appears to confirm that. Good vibes equal good work equals happy artist!
I've started on the bonus class so will have one last collage to share with you soon.
4 comments:
I think every piece of art goes through an ugly stage. Some people quit at that stage but I think putting it aside for another day let it percolate in the back of your mind for a day or a week or a month is not a bad idea. Glad you kept at this assignment.
You are so right, Jan. And I too am glad I returned and kept at it.
That wasn't me commenting, but I agree with the sentiment! Walk away then take another look when your mind is refreshed. How did it become February already?? Jan in WY
Thanks for the correction Jan. I'm so used to "anonymous" being you and it did sound like something you would say. :-) Indeed, January felt long while coming to its end suddenly in my book. As tax info trickles in, January always feels like a place to hide until I have to face doing my taxes. I vowed not to wait til March or April as I did last year, so boo hiss, it's February and I must start at least thinking about them. Which around here means putting some creative time on hold til they are done. At least I'll be able to revert to some knitting at odd times of the day. :-)
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