Musings on Creativity

I've been thinking a lot about creativity (an artist friend would say the thinking is just my problem) lately. In fact, I'll be taking a class designed to explore and expand creative possibilities in the coming weeks. (stay tuned...)

When I was at the last ASDP (Association of Sewing and Design Professionals, (formally PACC) national conference, I got to talking to a well known art to wear artist over a generous glass of chardonnay. I confessed to her my tendency to be technically oriented, an engineer (stop laughing Beth) rather than an artist. What she said has stuck with me. I can't remember her exact words, but the essence of it was use whatever you are to find your art. The way I understood it is, well, if you're an uptight person (not me of course, just a hypothetical uptight person), use that in your art. If you are a thoughtful person, make thoughtful art. Seems like a duh thing, right? But it's a tool, a place to start.

So beautiful creative ideas don't just come to me over coffee and toast in the morning...it doesn't mean I'm not able to create. I need to create from my own perspective. Take the word "uptight." What would uptight art be?

Well, how about the work of MC Escher? Especially the "tesselations" pieces. Isn't there something about those that speaks to completeness, having all the loose ends wrapped up, everything fitting together just so, math and precision?

What could "uptight" mean in fiber art? Interesting angles coming together precisely. Complicated shapes, closures, details. Or even sparseness and simplicity....the absence of "uptightness." (new word)

For me, uptightness may have led to this design, an LBD that was quite the engineering feat. The very construction complications of it appealed to me. Originally the idea was to have twice as many strips, but, hey, I'm not a sadist! It didn't win anything, but it did, and still does, speak to me. (It says, "lose 10 pounds so you can wear me!")

Uptightness may have also had something to do with my stubborn determination to come up with a unique closure for a reversible challenge several years ago. OK, the dress in general is fairly puke-y, but the concept, and the closure, are pretty cool.
See how it works?
The left side of the dress can completely release from the right side, and they can one or the other or both be flipped inside out. the closure is a double band of inseam buttonholes on one side, and buttons mounted on tabs on the other.

BTW, another possible version of this dress would've had 3 completely reversible pieces:
Waaaayyyy too many buttons....

Anyway, the point is, can you see how my sort of "uptight" nature may have led to these designs? I was drawing on what I had, as advised by my colleague at the conference, without even realizing it. So think about it....what aspects of your basic nature might lead to design?

Eat, Pray, Love

by Elizabeth Gilbert

A dear friend gave me this book for Christmas and it was a gift in more than just that way.

Often when I share good books with you I talk about how fun it was to dwell in that other world for awhile...how interesting it was...or suspenseful. This book is all those things...I couldn't wait to see how it turned out in the end. But it was so much more than that. This is the kind of book that changes you in some way. The kind of book you want to own rather than get from the library.

Elizabeth Gilbert was suffering through a wrenching divorce and persistent depression when she decided to embark on a year of travel in search of healing. She went first to Italy (searching pleasure), then to India (spirit), then to Indonesia (balance.) In a way, though she doesn't talk about it, she found all three in all three places.

The book is full of such colorful characters you'll want to meet them all in person. They are wise, they're sexy, they're hysterically funny. With apologies to the author...she's the least interesting character among the cast! But her journey is not. Her journey is something we all can relate to.

There is a lot of meditation and Eastern philosophy, a lot of open, liberal discussion and exploration of God. But it does not really espouse one religion over another (though Ms. Gilbert's convictions are clear.) I think it brings you closer to your own spirituality, whatever flavor yours may be. God is God after all, not likely to be hemmed in by any one discipline.

The author did not go to Rome and hang out in cathedrals viewing paintings and sculpture. She went to Rome and hung out with Romans at soccer games, pizzerias, and - get this - all night bakeries! She went to India and scrubbed floors. And she went to Indonesia and neglected the beach. It's all about the people and what they taught her. The randy young Italian soccer fans, big burly Richard from Texas (slang-slinging ex-druggy spiritual guru), and a tiny, ancient (somewhere b/w 65 and 120 years old), light-hearted medicine man are among those that surprised her and will surprise you.

You can read more about Eat, Pray, Love here on Oprah's website. But I'd say...just get the book. Then after you've read it go and see photos of the actual people and read a bit more about the author's journey. I'm afraid if you do it in reverse, you'll spoil the fun of the book!

Inspired by Trash?

A few months ago I couldn't resist taking this picture of a pretty pile of serger trimmings on the floor. The sun was coming in on it and it sparkled with lots of happy colors.

Alas, I didn't save them. If I had, maybe I'd have created something fun and intellectually interesting like this. Vicki always has creative and inspiring things on her blog. As does Katrin of Sew Mad. Honestly, these ladies blow me away with their fresh creativity, just making "simple", beautiful, unique things.

On the other hand, we all have our talents. And mine may not be that kind of creating. I can make a mean jeans hem though, and that's something!

And, I feel fortunate to be able to experience some special happiness just by observing a pile of serger trimmings on the floor. Sounds silly, but, really, I think that many people go through life and miss a lot of little joyful things like that.

Art Inspiring Site

Recently, thanks to Geekling on Ravelry, I came to the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive site. I love the artistic geometric designs here. They could provide inspiration for quilting, and appliqué as well as knitting design. I have just barely begun to explore the site as a whole.

Also via Geekling, her blog this time - this exhaustive compilation of video lessons in figure drawing - Invention to Human Figure. I definitely need at least one more life.