I've been thinking about the purpose behind both my business and personal goals ...
...trying to distill thoughts and feelings into just a few words.
What is it that I want for myself? What do I wish to give to YOU?
My answer is simply this:
Find Joy
Be Inspired
Create Beauty
I've revamped my Artists Statement to better reflect these ideas.
In a world where too often, the images we feed ourselves are full of violence and fear, my goal as an artist is to create beauty, to uplift, and to remind us of the strength we all possess. In a many layered process I gather intriguing materials both old and new. I marvel as plain cloth absorbs dye and changes appearance. I cut, piece and stitch, print, paint and embellish. Slowly order emerges from disarray, beauty from chaos.
The tactile nature of cloth, its texture, richness and malleability are what have drawn me to this medium. Fabric has a history almost as old as humankind; we cover ourselves in cloth every morning and wrap ourselves with it at night. Quilts hold a particular fascination for me. During a time when creative women were not allowed to be artists, they were able to stitch together beautiful works of art imbedded in objects of utility. My quilts are freed from utility and allowed full freedom of expression as fine art.
Thanks to Alyson Stanfield's book, I'd Rather Be In The Studio, this was easier than it might have been. She has a great list of questions to ask yourself.
She's coming to Durham on May 20th and 21st for a fantastic No-Excuses Art Marketing workshop. It's part of the Professional Art Quilter's Alliance - South spring conference but is open to the public. I'd love to see you there! You can look here for the workshop description and to sign up.
Have you thought about the reasons you do what you do?
What are your gifts? Why do you create? What is your purpose?
If you have any thoughts or critiques on my statement I'd truly appreciate hearing those as well.
6 comments:
you know it's funny, just last night I was thinking along these same lines. I read an editorial in American Artist magazine in which he talks about how amazed he is by the current trend for artists to go for the quick fix art that aims to win it's audience through noise and shock value. I want to create art that speaks softly to the viewer, draws them in and lets them draw their own conclusions rather than using my art to shout my own at them.
Lucky you to get to work with Alyson, I'm envious!
Lyric: This is lovely.
I'm very excited to come to Durham! Sue, why don't you come along?
That's a beautiful and powerful statement, Lyric. And, thank you so much for reminding me about Alyson Stanfield's book. I was familiar with the title and knew I probably *should* take a look at it, but thanks to you I now have it in my hands (well, on my computer, thanks to the instant download option).
You've reminded me of the importance of clarifying what I'm doing and communicating that to others. Thank you!
Your thoughts are so beautifully stated. I'll have to rethink my goals and purpose.
Love these thoughts Lyric. I was talking to my sister yesterday and she suggested to me something from Oprah Winfrey's website. That when we do things we need to look at the feelings things give and then evaluate what feelings we treasure and want to have. Then goals and decisions need to be made bassed on the out comes of these feelings. i.e. My feeling might be Peace, joy and love....Will going to five activities and making a a flash dinner give me those feelings. If it does carry on if it doesn't maybe I need to evaluate what is important today. I thought it was a great way to evaluate goals and decisions we make daily, weekly and yearly.
I love the goals you have. They are such good aims.
P.S. I hope you all understand my garble :)
I know exactly what you mean Catherine!
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