Work in Progress

Alright, I'm in the thick of it now. There's still so much unresolved about my work, but I am enjoying the process of making it a lot. I'm at the point where I can't wait to make art, and I am spending hours every day engaged in the act. It's a huge release after struggling to get to this point. I have to remember that about myself. If I am uncertain or afraid, I have a tendency to become completely inert. It's really annoying, but at least I understand it now. ----Anyway, when I stop to look at the body of work I have made thus far, I am pleased with the volume, but I am not sure that what I have now is working on formal level. Again, the process for me is magical, but I fear the results may seem a little to cliche to the informed viewer (jung, dreams, etherial realms, etc.). Ultimately, I may revert to imagery that is more precise and iconic. Ken Henson gave me some really great feedback yesterday, and we talked a lot about these issues in my work. So I have decided to keep working in this manner through the weekend. From there, I will make some decisions about color and form, revisit my concept statement, then go back to the press to make a new series of monoprints. This will give me a chance to be more precise, while enabling me to make multiple interpretations of the same concept.

Because I have so many things to tend to in my life (kids, husband, work, back injury, etc.) it's hard for me to let go and do something that does not appear to be immediately constructive. But when I look at the pieces I have thus far, I realize that they have been wholly worthwhile. I have learned so much about the composition of color and how it interacts by making this work. I also feel that is has relevance to me and my feelings. They serve as postcards from subconscious. In them I see tangible thoughts and experiences--especially relating to my back injury. --That's great for me, but along this, I also realize that I want to make work that touches other people in the same way. The designer in me wants to make this work function in a very, specific, purposeful and interactive way. But I am not ready to resolve that part of it yet. More later . . .