Tracings No. VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, and XI. Each 60 x 22 inches. ©2014
Stitched textile, acrylic paint, found papers.
So, I am still alive, and I am still making art, for anyone who might still be reading my blog after all this time. Among many things going on in both life in general and in the studio in particular, I finally have some new finished work to talk about.
About a year ago, I was invited to have a small solo exhibition at Visions Art Museum in San Diego. Naturally I was honored and excited, especially since there would be lots of time to make some new work for this show. But as usual, things got very busy, and August 2014 seemed like such a long way off and all, so…
Fast forward to mid June, and there is a voice mail from the gallery wanting to know more details about what I would be submitting. Still thinking I’m totally OK with the time frame, I call them and tell them what I’m planning. Six narrow vertical pieces to fit the designated space. Then, I find out they need photos of the finished work by July 15 to put into a brochure they’re going to print. Gulp! I had some other deadlines I was working under, and this was going to be a huge challenge. This was probably the one time in my life where I was pretty sure I was not going to be able to make a deadline. It was a terrible feeling. They would cancel my show and it would be the end of my art career.
The next few weeks were a roller coaster of emotion – on the one hand, total happiness and well-being during the process of making. On the other hand, fear and despair over how things were coming out. I should not be surprised at this by now; it’s as familiar as an old friend – the feeling midway through that what I’m making is utter crap and I suck, etc. Which is always followed by the “hey, maybe this isn’t SO bad…” leading to “OK, now I think I kind of like this…” as I keep working on it. The key is to keep going, no matter what. Work it through.
Here we see the total crap phase:
For whatever reason, it doesn’t look nearly as bad in the photo as it did up close and personal. And increasing the feelings of self doubt was the fact that I’d decided to do something I hadn’t tried before, which is a melding of two techniques that I’ve worked with independently in the past (process details here and here). I had NO idea if I was going to be able to make this work, which now that I think of it, was a really stupid idea.
Long story short, I did get the work done, and in the shortest amount of time it’s ever taken me to do one piece, let alone six. And that includes having my sewing machine break down and buying a new one (more on that later) plus hand-stitching all the faced bindings and sleeves. Perhaps I work best under pressure, but hey, let’s give ourselves a little more breathing room next time, OK?
The challenge was to make the paper areas blend with the backgrounds and not just look plopped on. You can let me know if you think I was successful or not.
Tracings No. VI, 60 x 22 inches. ©2014
Tracings No. VI, detail
Tracings No. VII, detail
Tracings No. IX, detail
And finally, the biggest challenge: Writing an artist’s statement. There are a lot of things that go through my mind as I’m working, and I have trouble distilling all of this into something that makes sense and also relates when viewed along with the work at hand. In many ways, my work is about everything and nothing simultaneously. Here’s what I came up with:
What does it mean to be human? Are we here as part of some grand design, put here on Earth by a benevolent creator? Or are we just the result of a random series of events involving tiny particles of space dust and electricity?
As human beings have evolved, we have developed various systems to help us make sense of our world. Language, mathematics, science, physics, artwork, music, philosophy, religion and more help us to understand, record, and communicate the lived experience of being human. And as we go through our lives, we feel compelled to leave traces of our existence, from the simplest hand-drawn markings on wood or stone to the most complex technological creations. We want someone else to know, “I was here.”
Deidre, you totally nailed it. This work is breathtaking.
And your artist statement is beautifully moving.
BTW, it makes me quite bitter because after you posted about your Excavation series (you may remember how taken I was with it); and after our conversation about your work and the gentleman who inspired *you*, I had been playing with combining something like your paper work with fabric, had collected scribblings from work and my notebooks, done some small scale experiments and sketched out a series called “Ephemera”.
*ahem*
So. Moving on to the next thing… Maybe something figurative, as is my wont. You *never* go there. lol
Well Kit, I don’t know if YOU remember, but I was quite jealous of your Ephemera work. Perhaps at some point in the future, you’ll find yourself compelled to revisit the idea – or not. I always think everything I’ve ever done is in some way a precursor to things I’m doing now, even if it’s not readily apparent.
BTW, I don’t do figurative because I’m most definitely NOT good at it. I have to content myself with admiring that skill in the work of others, including you.
Dear Deidre,
I’m Daniela Dancelli, italian quilter and SAQA member.
I also in the creative process I have moments of absolute despair. But then if the result are six beautiful works, they are welcome doubts! The result is sensational. Fusion of the two techniques is an evolution and blend perfectly! I love these!
Ciao, Daniela
Dear Daniela,
I’m familiar with you from the Masters book. Your work is lovely, and I think we share some common interests: graffiti, for one. Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to leave me a comment.
mmmmm….deadlines..oh yes. I truly do appreciate the ‘ugly teenager’ stage that work goes through, and you are correct, just keep on going forward. I really would love to see this in person, I’d imagine it really resonates on many levels, and it’s huge? yes? I’m afraid I’d have to steal a touch! Brava for this work. And I love your big picture statement too.
Lorie, thank you. The individual pieces are 60 x 22, but if you put them all together, it’s pretty big. About 11 feet wide by 5 feet tall. I’m probably going to be branded a heretic for saying this, but I don’t get all bent out of shape if someone touches my work. I really don’t care if it lasts forever. I want people to enjoy it in the present.
Magnifique travail , j’aime vraiment beaucoup et j’espère toujours un jour voir votre travail en vrai
Marianne, merci beaucoup. Il est très gentil à vous de le dire.
Hi Deidre,
I love it that you post a “total crap phase” image. I now try to remember that I ALWAYS have to move through that!
This new work is stunning!
Thanks, Karen. I always have to remind myself as well. It can really be daunting sometimes.
Love this new work. You totally nailed it with combining materials and process’. Would love to be able to see it in person.
Jean Ann, thank you. Your comments are inspiring me to continue in this vein for awhile.
looking forward to seeing these up close and personal…glad you finished them…
Thank you, Kathy. Me, too!
Dear Deidre,
what can I say… This new work of you ist just breathtaking. You really found the right way to get fabric and paper mixed. I just don’t believe how great it looks like. I have seen quite a lot of combinations lately, wich I didn’t think where great because not really linked to another. But you 6 panels are so fantastic. I would like so much to see them in real!
And… thank you for writing about ALL the stages through this…
Isabelle, thank you so much. I hope the reality is as good as the photos!
Hi Deidre,
Your candor is totally refreshing and your work is outstanding. The photos are great – just wish I could see them up close in real life!
Congratulations on the show!
Debra, very kind of you to say so. Thanks for reading my blog!
This is a stunning piece. I see a story unfolding with a flow across from left to right. A great and confident serpent moves with purpose until it comes face to face with its humble self. The result of the head strong and the humble blend into a colorless area, then giving birth to your true self.
Your imprint moves across time leaving the wonderful person called you.
Wow, Debbie. That’s amazing! I love hearing how other people read my work. Your words do a great honor to my intentions.
This is really “significant” work. How can we get this to the east coast?
Rita, brilliant question. Guess I need to work on that!