I am working on more than one project at at time. It helps to reinvigorate my creative perspective. Some of the work is being pieced. Some stitched. Some bound. Some reconstructed. But lately I wonder if this is too scattered, too disparate for satisfaction. Am I adding too many vanishing points to my brain?
Studying a bit about perspective led me to this diagram which resonated with my state of mind. Source: Principles of Perspective by Walters & Bromham.
I haven't completed a piece in over 4 months. At the same time I have started at least five. Two are lingering on the what-was-I-thinking design board. One is a mass of hand stitching detail that takes hours of concentration and can only be done in a meditative state. One is an experiment that opened a completely new direction for exploration. The children's drawing project has three rough compositions in place waiting for final decisions on treatment. Another has such a deep and complex vision for completion that I am not sure how I will be able to pull it off (I spent the last week learning how to tie fishing nets so that I can add a net to the piece.)
So, what to do?
Is chaos a productive mindset or should I strive for focus? Can multiple points of view cloud the simple solution? Is this exploration a way to avoid decision? And, is this the reason why I can't get a good nights sleep? Too many synapses firing ... too many vanishing points. I have this vision of being tied up in threads that are weblike over the studio, finally engulfing me in my medium. Maybe it's best I don't add a cot to the workspace. You might find me stitched in. (hmmm...another idea to pursue?)
Paging through a book on perspective (bought at a library sale years ago) I found this child's drawing on the back endpapers. Her name may be Crystal (written in on another page of the book).
I cut up a linen tablecloth to create squares and triangles of shattered shapes as a next step in the Traveling Unknown Pathways idea. I love the contrast of the linen against the black fabric.
I am 90% done with a quilt guild challenge in which we were to design a flag that represents our creative journey.
SPRUNG! More distractions coming our way. The first crocus burst into yellow yesterday.