Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Flea Market Faux-Tiques


These beads and focals aren't completely finished. They're works in progress. But they have more than that in common.

I mentioned that the idea of conserving and protecting time, capturing the creative moments daily, has been on my mind. You can see the words 'CARPE DIEM' on one of the focals.


Similar to my other bead focal that says 'TAKE TIME' these designs show I have saving time and using the hours and days productively generating new designs and ideas on my radar right now. And the image of a hand holding a string of pocketwatches. In the little framed piece there's a translucent image from a scientific instrument catalog of a scale for weighing things. Measuring time?

Another thing that's happening is that I seem to be combining media. There's some resin, polymer clay, glass, metal and wire, all bringing their own look and feel to these pieces.


The large focal bead looks like a medal or medallion, something that's given out as an award or presentation. To someone for valor or courage. The word inside the framed window says - 'A-R-T' - like a prize or award, given as a medal. The back side of the framed weighing scale slide looks like one of those vintage tin ceiling tiles, with the decoration showing through the worn spots in the paint and the dark showing behind.


The decorations on front and back remind me of something from the machine age, kind of a steampunk feeling to them. Or old victorian ornate picture frames, with their gilded trims.


See the golden amber colored piece in the center of the square component, it looks like a piece of mica, framed in that dark ornate frame, but it isn't. I've never worked with mica, although I love the style of lamps that have the mica shades on them, and the light they give off. That warm, amber colored light, soothing. That center ornament in the square frame is translucent too, the light shows through when you hold it up.

How do you work?
Do you have a definite idea - today I'm going to do these things - and have a list? Do you know that if you do certain things today, in a week you'll need to do more things?

I don't plan ahead, or even really have lists. I just go into the studio and literally pick up the first thing that's at hand, and start doing things. That might be clay, metal, wire or glass. Just whatever is at hand I start working with it. Without thinking about 'here's what I'm doing today' or having a goal. Random.

As though the objects are just waiting for me to give them form. I pick up things, put them down next to each other and then they suddenly belong together. As though it was all planned, but it definitely wasn't.

I'm curious about how other people, creative and inventive folks all, work and do their processes.

Do tell?

6 comments:

Lorelei Eurto said...

It certainly helps to be around beautiful artwork all day. I am never at a loss for inspiration!!
But sometimes it is hard to work a full 9-5 day and then sit down to create for several hours. I'm usually yawning and struggling to stay awake.

BH Bead Creations (Bobbi Horst) said...

It depends...If I am getting ready for a show I will try and plan to do specific tasks, otherwise I just sit down and play around and see what happens. I work at home, so when I take my breaks I can sneak over to my bead table and create a little bit here and there.

Kristin said...

I'm definitely an impulsive creator most of the time. I like to spread things out and play with different beads and metals and fibers and then decide on a direction. My big problem right now is having flashes of inspiration throughout the day when I am doing the more mundane daily stuff, and not making a point to write down the idea. I always think "oh, I'll remember," but I rarely do. Must learn to carry a notebook with me everywhere!

SarahKelley said...

I'm fairly random. Some of my things are made to order and I have one challenge that I do monthly-- other than that it's more of an 'I want to try this' or 'I want to use this'.
I will say that somedays I waste allot of tie because I'm sure what to do next . . .

There's an award for you on my blog. If you aren't into them, no worries-- but your blogging efforts are appreciated:)

LLYYNN - Lynn Davis said...

It's so good to hear that I'm not alone all standing out in the randomness line while everyone else is lined up in the organizational room! I sometimes wish I were more coordinated in what I'm doing but it sounds like I'm not alone, or at least the list-making organized people are holding back from commenting so I won't feel badly, LOL!

Come on, 'fess up if you are a list maker and organizational superstar!

dogfaeriex5 said...

your art takes my breath away!!
thank you!!
xo~