Sun dyeing with Buckthorn Bark. First it turned yellow, then red, then brown, and now it’s back to yellow. I can’t wait to see where it ends up!
Hi Friends,
If you haven’t yet discovered the Take Two platform for online fiber arts classes, I highly recommend it. I’m currently taking two classes there — Finding Fragments, Respond Rework Repair with Shelley Rhodes and Creating with Courage with Clarissa Callesen.
I’m not taking these classes because I want to create work like Shelley’s or Clarissa’s art. For me it’s a way to expand my way of thinking about my art and to learn a few new techniques.
Through all of the classes I’ve taken recently, I’ve come to better understand and be able to articulate what makes my art unique.
I realized that I’m a minimalist in my art and I prefer nonobjective work over realism. Nonobjective art depicts a feeling rather than a person, place or thing.
I like designs that are simple, clean, quiet, thoughtful and deep. I prefer rich and subdued earth-based colors. And I like working with elements that are worn out, beat up and look old. Things like rusty metal, torn fabric with holes in it, things that have faded, and textiles that have been mended.
Knowing this about myself makes it easier to create my art. It rules out a whole lot of things that I don’t need to consider, like bright colors and busy designs. I can see now that it’s a waste of my time when I venture down those paths because it’s just not me and it won’t feel right.
Here’s a piece that I recently finished that’s a good example of my artistic aesthetic. I think of this work as Zen-inspired. The overall design is very simple, but if you look closely you can see a whole lot of stitching underneath.
Click on the images for more information and to see the piece in a browser.
“One,” 24 x 18 inches, fabric remnants and stitching
Detail shots:
It’s quiet. It’s simple. It’s ambiguous. The meaning isn’t clear, and it’s left to your interpretation.
After writing this, it occurred to me that there are times when I enjoy making colorful and busy art! Like the painting in my bedroom:
I guess it’s OK to have exceptions to the rule. Maybe I’m just in a minimalist period right now, like Picasso’s “Blue Period.” More to be revealed in time!
What’s your style with your art, decor, or clothing? I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts. You can share them with us in the comments section below.
With love and appreciation,
Cassandra