I want to progress my art but I am stuck right now.
Earlier this year I collected together some of my beginnings , some samples of ideas.I pinned them up on the design wall in the studio. I stood back and was surprised at how much was there. There is more stashed away in drawers, on shelves and at home are portfolios of paintings, drawings, collages. There are sketchbooks and journals too. Then there was all the stuff I discarded.
Because I have only finished a number of quilts, I didn’t consider myself to be productive. Yet I have been busy making, making lots of starts, lots of studies, lots of samples and ideas. There is potential waiting to be developed, tidied up and perfected to meet the ‘standard’.(the ‘standard’ being another topic altogether)
I choose to use ‘waste’ cloth and materials in my work. I like to use up what is readily available. I like the challenge of making something out of nothing, as it were, I like ready made colour and texture.
As a logical next step, I decided to use up the samples I had made and put them into larger pieces . I didn’t follow through to the end, to back and quilt them. I allowed myself to be distracted. I worked on commissions ( sound and valid )….I started new ideas….I began to assemble my website….I floated in cyberspace…I took online classes… I read…focus flew out of the window and headed south, whilst my willpower hibernated in a creative chill.
Then I read the Studio 24-7 where Terry Jarrard-Dimond itemises her book list . The all time favourite is Maximum Achievement by Brian Tracy, from which she highlighted the importance of completion(August 10th) I didn’t need another book to clutter my shelves,….so… I read the reviews anyway and now Maximum Achievement is mine! Well, the book anyway! It is an inspiring and motivating read, not least because Brian Tracy’s own story is so compelling.
So here’s where I am :ditching the pretentious (or maybe aspirational) ‘ABOUT’ statement for something real and meaningful. I am shaping up my blog to focus on finish, completion and getting things done. I am committing to the process….to discover what works to get my work complete. I am going public in a bid to own my reality, to be accountable, to develop and complete my art! Your presence is invaluable to this process and you comments are most welcome.
maggiewinnall.wordpress.com 
