Build a body of work by working in a series. It may seem limiting but it's actually liberating.
The year 2017’s first piece – “Blue Nodes”- is done. Woo hoo!!! I continued with my Circular Blocks series from last year here. This time I went back to using a different color other than black as my background. As you’ll notice, I’m using a color scheme that you might recognize from some of my earlier work.
Refine, Repeat, and Reorganize
In the final pieces of this series, what I’m trying to do is to “tighten” the parameters with which I work. I’ve explored a lot of angles in this series and I feel like it’s time to refine, repeat, and reorganize the last few pieces to more clearly fit into a recognizable pattern. So “Blue nodes” begins this effort.
In that vain of “fitting into a recognizable pattern” – as all work in a series should – I repeated the circular block shapes. And I used a variety of thread sketching techniques to add texture and interest to the piece.
I’m still not quite satisfied that I achieved my aim of keeping these last pieces very simple. I do like a minimalistic look. And I often try and shoot for that in some of the abstract work that I create. But until now, I haven’t quite hit it yet.
Why Would You Want to Work in A Series?
Thankfully, I’m working in a series and this is where one of my favorite benefits of working in a series kicks in. That is, I get to refine, repeat, and reorganize my ideas in the next piece. So although, “Blue Nodes” didn’t quite make it in terms of a minimal design, the next piece might just do that.
And this might just answer the question that sometimes folks ask about working in a series. “How can you work on the same thing for a long time without getting bored?” I think it’s because every subsequent piece in the series, you’re trying to achieve something new. You’re trying to explore a different angle. Working in a series might seem limiting but it’s actually liberating.
This quote from the painter Chuck Close sums it up very well.
“When everything in the world was a possibility, I only tried three or four things over and over …once I decided I was going to have relatively severe limitations, everything opened up”
I’m looking forward to “everything opening up” as I limit myself by refining, repeating and reorganizing the basic elements in my design.
Your Turn
What new projects have you begun working on this year? Are you refining, repeating and reorganizing some stuff or are you starting completely new?
Warmest Regards,
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Hi Clara, Happy New Year x This year will be a huge challenge as i am aiming to complete my Level 3 City & Guilds in Craft Design Embroidery. There are 4 assessed pieces to design and make; along with stitch samples for 4 modules. It might not sound like a lot, but there is a lot of work recording and producing portfolios for each item. It will have taken me 5 years in total as I have many & complex health issues. It is a course that is done completely as a distance learning course, so can sometimes feel a bit lonely. Your blog and videos have been an exciting source of inspiration to me x Along the way, I will also try to find time to note down all the ideas that keep popping into my head for later independent work! This is something I am excited to begin. Thank you for your blog and videos. Andrea x
Andrea, you must be proud of yourself for coming this far even with your health challenges. Sometimes we don’t notice how much progress we’ve made in the face of challenges. But you have. You didn’t give up. I’m hopeful that with the same determination, you’ll be able to complete what you started in the City and Guilds program. All the best and I can’t wait to hear that you’ve completed the program. oxox
Thanks Clara. I will send you pics of my work when complete and they have been assessed x
You’re most welcome. I’ll be looking forward to seeing those pictures.