phases of creating- solved, unsolved, solving

I'm finally finishing the tags for "Scroll # 2. Some days I feel the need to be creating new work -even if it's related. Stitching more tags is repetitive work. It's a problem solved. Some days I like being on the solved side of working creatively; other days I like to be on the unsolved side.

When I go the solved side, and it's repetitive, it's a meditative process. I repeat the same steps for each tag. The details of each loom large as I trace the template and stitch the shape. Subtle differences inject themselves. I change the thread color, the stitch pattern, or place something between the two pieces of buckram. No two tags are the same. But there is a level of comfort in not going into an unknown phase of work, rather choosing to return to the familiar.

To reestablish a connection with creating today, I printed photos of the tags I'd done. I glued them to a blank page of my journal and wrote over the two photos. I wrote about the tendency and need to investigate a theme or motif over a period of time and/or by creating several pieces of work containing the same motif. I this case, tags.

Sunday, I looked an unfinished page in ART JOURNAL: July-Dec. It had 9 tags traced in pencil in an orderly pattern. So then what was I to do? I was definitely in the unsolved phase of the process. Or should I say the solving side?

To get started, I wrote some sketchy thoughts on the edge of the page, looked for some language about fabrics from Whole Cloth by Margaret Constantine in my notes. I paraphrased and wrote fragments on each. I'll use these as a basis for the language fragments on "Scroll #2". As I worked it became clear that this was a plan for a fabric wallhanging. See August 16th's post for photos.

DAILY HAIKU 2009

Today would have been Daddy's 100th birthday. He's been gone since 1993, but we still feels his presence in our lives. (See August 9's post for photos of a shirt I made in testament to him.)

The collage is messy, yet ordered with few shapes and colors. The rectangles plaacement suggests a plaid. The curve of the spiral contrast with the edges of the rectangles.

The text leaves specifics to each reader in its meaning, but states the need to celebrate each moment as it becomes part of a life.