Great point about confidence, Duane. Putting our faith and belief in something external almost feels like a game of bluff with cards and we are playing against ourselves. This made me think of the song "Castles Made of Sand" by Jimi Hendrix.
I like that last collage, "dreams I can’t dream - analog collage on 4x6 index card." That word "DECODING" over the eyes is interesting. Deeper meaning there to decode as well. Thanks for sharing.
Ooh grab bags! They sound awesome.. I struggle creatively at times with writing, drumming.. poetry.. being me.. the whole shabang! Solidarity in the struggle my friend ☺️
I'm looking for a theme in this selection and it seems like the last three are positive and playful and hopeful. The beginning is a protest and a critique? How I got that I don't know. It's an upside down world and has been for too long. It's useful to create as it keeps the conversation going. Ask your questions and guidance will be showing you the way. Keep making things! These are great!
It’s interesting, because, if I remember correctly, the last three were made prior to the first three chronologically speaking. I was attempting playful explorations earlier in the week, but my mood and mental state started darkening as the week kept progressing. The reverse ordering might be my own small way to try to reverse the trajectory of the week.
I've been struggling in a similar place--I'm hating everything I do...kinda :). The doubt and lack of trust are also part of the process, I think, because that's where you learn how to push through and cultivate confidence. I understand why it's a struggle to place confidence in the self, which is flawed, unreliable, and I've certainly let myself down plenty of times. I think we all struggle with this--we're yearning for a drink from a place that will satisfy us.
Now, I love each of your collages! a purposeful vision of aimlessness, the secret enduring the name, and dreams I can’t dream are my favorites; but I like the abstract nature and colors of an insight into the life we learn. The leg is kinda naughty--like a peek to something I'm not supposed to see.
Also, do you think that the experiment that felt off is what unlocked these? Or did these come before in the timeline? These definitely feel more finished and more you, if that makes sense.
Sorry to hear you’re having a tough time creatively, but at the same time, in a way, I’m glad it’s not just me.
If I remember correctly, almost all of these were made prior to the lack luster experiment, but there is something to be said about the way failures open teh door for better iterations.
Thanks Kim! That piece took me by surprise. I was trying to do something totally different with it, and it just wasn’t working. Glad a stumbled on to this arrangement though. I’ve been playing around with scan of this image, experimenting with ways I could print portions of it and make a few more pieces with it. We’ll see.
Glad the writing struck a chord, I’m in a strange and difficult place, mentally, emotionally, and creatively. Looking for something to hold onto. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for sharing my work and the epic collage pack. I think that a lot of us just have to trust the showing up. I think at the end of everyday I’ve had my last day of making art. My self-confidence never reassures or helps. But the next day, despite resistance I sit down and make familiar movements that hopefullly lead me to that place of flow. I think that’s the secret.
My pleasure! My confidence in my abilities or my work has never been stable. But I’ve always been able to rely on that feeling of persistence that brings mee back to my workbench. And yet, these days I’m finding even that is starting to wane. It’s probably temporary. It will probably pass one day. I just hope it does so some time soon.
Great point about confidence, Duane. Putting our faith and belief in something external almost feels like a game of bluff with cards and we are playing against ourselves. This made me think of the song "Castles Made of Sand" by Jimi Hendrix.
I like that last collage, "dreams I can’t dream - analog collage on 4x6 index card." That word "DECODING" over the eyes is interesting. Deeper meaning there to decode as well. Thanks for sharing.
Good connection with the Hendrix tune! I would have never thought of that! Thanks for sharing!
Ooh grab bags! They sound awesome.. I struggle creatively at times with writing, drumming.. poetry.. being me.. the whole shabang! Solidarity in the struggle my friend ☺️
Glad to be in good company!
I'm looking for a theme in this selection and it seems like the last three are positive and playful and hopeful. The beginning is a protest and a critique? How I got that I don't know. It's an upside down world and has been for too long. It's useful to create as it keeps the conversation going. Ask your questions and guidance will be showing you the way. Keep making things! These are great!
It’s interesting, because, if I remember correctly, the last three were made prior to the first three chronologically speaking. I was attempting playful explorations earlier in the week, but my mood and mental state started darkening as the week kept progressing. The reverse ordering might be my own small way to try to reverse the trajectory of the week.
No way!? I’d never know.
It’s one of the things I enjoy about building these, the ordering radical changes the narrative unfolding.
Reminds me of rearranging stanzas in poetry. They don’t appear in the order they’ve been written in.
Good example!
I've been struggling in a similar place--I'm hating everything I do...kinda :). The doubt and lack of trust are also part of the process, I think, because that's where you learn how to push through and cultivate confidence. I understand why it's a struggle to place confidence in the self, which is flawed, unreliable, and I've certainly let myself down plenty of times. I think we all struggle with this--we're yearning for a drink from a place that will satisfy us.
Now, I love each of your collages! a purposeful vision of aimlessness, the secret enduring the name, and dreams I can’t dream are my favorites; but I like the abstract nature and colors of an insight into the life we learn. The leg is kinda naughty--like a peek to something I'm not supposed to see.
Also, do you think that the experiment that felt off is what unlocked these? Or did these come before in the timeline? These definitely feel more finished and more you, if that makes sense.
Thank you again for sharing!
Sorry to hear you’re having a tough time creatively, but at the same time, in a way, I’m glad it’s not just me.
If I remember correctly, almost all of these were made prior to the lack luster experiment, but there is something to be said about the way failures open teh door for better iterations.
"a purposeful vision of aimlessness" screams to be blown up and hung on a wall.
So. Good.
And this poem 🫶🏻 ...
I need the assurance of something outside myself.
... want to believe in something beyond me.
Something structured and constructed.
Something solid.
Something made of metal and mettle.
Girders, courage, and steel.
Thanks Kim! That piece took me by surprise. I was trying to do something totally different with it, and it just wasn’t working. Glad a stumbled on to this arrangement though. I’ve been playing around with scan of this image, experimenting with ways I could print portions of it and make a few more pieces with it. We’ll see.
Glad the writing struck a chord, I’m in a strange and difficult place, mentally, emotionally, and creatively. Looking for something to hold onto. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for sharing my work and the epic collage pack. I think that a lot of us just have to trust the showing up. I think at the end of everyday I’ve had my last day of making art. My self-confidence never reassures or helps. But the next day, despite resistance I sit down and make familiar movements that hopefullly lead me to that place of flow. I think that’s the secret.
My pleasure! My confidence in my abilities or my work has never been stable. But I’ve always been able to rely on that feeling of persistence that brings mee back to my workbench. And yet, these days I’m finding even that is starting to wane. It’s probably temporary. It will probably pass one day. I just hope it does so some time soon.
I understand. It will pass 🙏🏻
Well said!