I tend to get too precious with my materials. I'll buy the most expensive oil paints and the finest woolen yarns- but then I feel almost afraid to make mistakes. Since the materials are so expensive I just don't want to waste anything. I think this is inhibiting my creativity.
Thankfully, life intervened. I am part of a group called ArtMob (short for Art Milwaukie On Board) and we were doing a project for our little town fair where we painted replicas of famous paintings and left the faces out for people to peek through for pictures. Most of us are struggling artists and so we used whatever cheap paints we had around to get this project done-- which means that mostly we used house paints. I couldn't believe how well they turned out.
It really made me rethink my strategy. Perhaps I need to step away from the built in expectations of fancy materials and just enjoy the process of art making without having to live up to the cost of making the project!
I had this in mind today while perusing the thrift store aisles and can you believe what I came upon?! :
176 balls of the most colorful yarn for $9.99. Yes, most of it is not wool (gasp!). But I can tell you that it's been awhile since I've felt this free about my creative process. I have images of free-form knitting and weaving and braiding projects going through my mind. I want to make ropes and ropes of colorful yarn and drape it everywhere. I am so excited about this basket of cheap yarn.
What kind of materials do you like to use? Are you the kind of person that is inspired by the best of the best or do you like to create using found objects and used materials? Please share! I'm really interested in this topic now!
Best,
Jennifer xoxo
i have the same problem! i have so many gorgeous yarns and fabrics, and i hoard them and pet them but hardly use them. i am trying to dive in and overcome, but it still remains that i'll use my least favorites first!
ReplyDeleteHi Cal! I'm glad I'm not the only one =) xoxo
DeleteJust found your blog and guess what? We're both Etsy shop owners, and we are neighbors. My husband and I just bought our first home in Ardenwald last June. We've been here a little over a year and so far, so good. About your post...I hang onto my art supplies, too. I have things I bought years ago and still haven't opened and used. I took a bookmaking class at PSU in the spring and the instructor laughed with me about my self profession on being a paper hoarder. Great find on the balls of yarn, congrats!
ReplyDeleteWow, Tina, what a coincidence that we're neighbors! I hope I see you around some neighborhood functions. My husband's band Old Light is playing the Ardenwald NDA summer concert series August 30th so maybe I'll see you there. I'm at a lot of the NDA, ArtMOB, and MUST events so if you ever see me please introduce yourself =)
DeleteI checked out your Etsy shop-- fantastic stuff!