As a New Year’s resolution this year I decided that I would call a moratorium on class-taking. That lasted all the way to May 1st. My latest exercise in being irresolute took me to Quilting by the Lake and into Terry Jarrard-Dimond’s class “Ask: What If?” My friends who have formal training in art often say that “you start something and then you ask ‘What if?’” then, they say, “you take it further.” I had no idea what this meant. So a week-long immersion in a class called Ask: What If? seemed like a wonderful thing.
In response to prompts, we did a series of exercises. In five days we went from randomness – literally a connect-the-dots exercise – to considering the quite profound idea of using a map as a metaphor. And, to Terry’s great credit as a teacher, everyone in the “all levels are welcome" (and came) class kept pace with the exercises through the week. Highlights from the collection (we made at least six things, I lost count and I haven't fully unpacked):
 |
| ^approximately 45 inches square This was the "connect the dots" exercise. It seems I've found a horse and a bird. |
 |
| ^Doing something with it. |
 |
| ^Doing more. Not quite done, but I can see it going somewhere with more sections of the parallel lines |
New prompt, different idea. This became an experiment in literal depth as well as the illusion of depth. I layered six fabrics, light to dark, and then cut through successive layers inside the pyramid bars.
 |
| approximately 22 inches high x 33 inches wide |
This was a viewfinder exercise. It's kind of monolithic and I'd like to do more of these. In a more monolithic scale.
 |
| approximately 24 inches high x 42 inches wide |
An uncharacteristic burst of color. I can do color. I just think that color is so dynamic, it distracts from other design elements. And it's overstimulating. I don't like being overstimulated (and it's a very short trip for me).
 |
| approximately 36 inches square |
So it turns out that asking what if? is a little like doing the Hokey Pokey: you put things in and you take things out and you shake it all about until you have something that resembles a dance. It helps also to have empathetic and informed input from your dance instructor (see: link to Terry Jarrard-Dimond, above) and some familiarity with fundamental things (like how to use a color wheel).
Being irresolute is turning out to be fruitful. I think I'll do more of it.
Posts
9 comments:
Home 5 and a bit months and my NY drawings are still "unresolved."
Sometimes, I think I ask too many "what ifs."
NY is a lot to try to resolve. I'm proud of you for being unpacked (you are unpacked -- yes?) and reacclimated to the local time and date.
It looks like she gave you a lot to think about and some very good beginnings. I'd like to see what you do with the "bird and horse". I'm glad you enjoyed the class, always a good thing when you've invested a week of your time.
It was a terrific experience. I"m kind of over-the-moon aboutit.
I need to replace my cutting mat before I get going again. Despite what I thought was careful packing, when I put it back on the table, it heat-morphed into a shape that Dale Chihuly might be proud to claim.
Wonder if you could lay it flat and weight it down and put it in the sun or your hot car? Although I like the Chihuly illusion.
Hurrah for being irresolute because it has lead you to some wonderful explorations. Love the workshop results. Do the hokey pokey more often!
wow, you are one lucky artist. Can't believe you've had the chance to take all these fantastic classes. I agree with Norma; can't wait to see what you do with horse and bird. Woo hoo and yippee -- it all looks great.
Thanks ladies! it was wonderful and still resonating. I'm slower than usual getting off the mark since I've been home, but once all the dental distractions end -- look out!
You know I like these all very much but the viewfinder exercise is my favorite. This piece has an ethnic, organic quality to it that is very appealing.
Post a Comment