Back in 2006, the Laundry King and I did a home exchange to a small village in the French Pyrenees. Amongst other things, I was captivated by the abundance of spring wildflowers and for the last five years I’ve had these images whirring around in my head.
Participating in Lisa Call’s online workshop Working in Series has been a great catalyst for finally incorporating some of these images into my artwork. Here are my main design exercises from the workshop:
Working in series, for me, means working with a common underlying theme, concept or idea through a number of pieces. Common execution techniques may also be used but not necessarily. Rather than reducing options, the series approach can be enriching as it provides focus and helps to eliminate noise and distractions. It’s an opportunity to critically review your work and identify what is working; to take those elements and to develop them further. Repetition, reflection, refinement, reward.
If you have a potential series whirring around, then Lisa’s workshop offers tools and strategies for unlocking that creative potential, capitalizing on unexpected discoveries and uncovering new forms of self-expression. This workshop is not limited to quilt makers but is open to all visual artists. No techniques are taught, instead the focus is on how YOU can go deeper with YOUR own interests and techniques. The next workshop starts in mid-October. If you are interested, I see Lisa is offering an early bird special.
Diane says
Brenda, your design exercises are very appealing! It looks like you have honed in on using your inspiration photos and your signature technique to come up with some wonderful designs. It sounds like Lisa’s course was a great jumping-off point for you.
Candy from Candied Fabrics says
Brenda, I LOVE these! As I said on Lisa’s blog earlier, they are obviously you, but something new as well…I really LOVE the last one with the blue flowers and wonky stems! 🙂