I have spent a lot of time deep in thought recently. I'm constantly surprised at how I feel. In my 20s I was keen but lacking in confidence and didn't really know what I wanted, or where I was headed. Over the next 30 years I have become much wiser, my edges softened by life rubbing and occasionally bashing the edges off me. Now in my 50s, I find myself still with a feeling to leave my mark on the world (which has been with me since my late teens) but the emphasis now is much more in being true to myself and doing things of substance and quality.
I am enjoying my spinning and knitting and am learning about pattern design and clothing manufacture. I have joined a couple of weaving spining and dyer guilds, and attended one a few days ago. I was able to listen to a tapestry designer and weaver whose work really inspired me. Her name is Joan Baxter and some of her work is shown on her website (although the web does not do it justice).
Joan has a particular style, which makes her work identifiable as hers, and I wondered what my style was - or do I have one at all? She has the courage to let her passion and artistic talent dictate the direction of her work. I'm not sure yet what my style is, and often hold back instead of 'going with the flow'.
I guess what I learned from Joan's talk at the Guild, was that I should listen to the voices that tell me which direction to take, and have the courage of my convictions to create - after all, I am working in a creative world now - so watch this space, maybe a particular style might come through if I let go and let the artist in me start to emerge...
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