After last week’s thoughts, I have been doing some more reflecting about who I am as a Maker of Things. I’ve mentioned before that part of this creative journey for me is about finding a sense of “self” in the artistic sense. That’s what I’m pondering this week in my creative space.
A lot of what I make is for gift-giving, and as a result, it’s often tailored to suit another person’s style or taste, from the drawing style to the stitch choices to the fabrics and colors. When all that is set aside and I task myself with creating something simply to create, I often find myself at a loss.
What do I like to draw? What’s my style? Who am I?
There are times when I get into a real free, creative groove and something that’s decidedly “me” emerges. More often than not, though, I’m not sure I really know who I am creatively.
At first I thought it was because I didn’t have a strong sense of creative self. But the more I’ve thought about it, I’ve realized that self is already there, but maybe I haven’t looked at it all in a way that brings it together for me so I can recognize it.
So I thought it might be interesting to take a little tour through the things I’ve made that I feel most reflect the true “me.” These are the things that have flowed out of my sense of artistry and not out of what I feel another person might like to have. I limited myself to my main artistic medium, embroidery.
Hmmm, seeing it all together in mosaics like that sheds some different light for me. I definitely see a couple of themes popping up. What do you see?
And, thankfully, there are plenty of lighter, less self-obsessed creative spaces to be found at kootoyoo.
I see lots of bold designs and colours. They are all lovely.
written on June 9th, 2010, at 9:02 pmI see lots of beautiful stitching. Makes me smile every time I walk into the small one’s room.
written on June 9th, 2010, at 10:29 pmYou are a magnificent stitcher!
My very favourite is that architectural drawing. Just flaming grand!!!
written on June 9th, 2010, at 10:46 pmYou have some beautiful work there! I love the round embroidery in the blue fram – very pretty!
written on June 9th, 2010, at 11:28 pmit’s important to take stock of this! i think it’s great that you are thinking about it. it’s so easy to get hugely influenced by what we see online too, that i find i need to sit and think a bit sometimes.
written on June 9th, 2010, at 11:37 pmyour work is really gorgeous. i love your round/ snowflake/flower patterns.
I think your stitching is exquisite! And perhaps stitching is sort of different to print design or illustration..in a sense that it’s less vague in distinguishing the artist’s style.
However I can definitely see what a creative artist you are, just by your patterns you make:) Like you said, maybe your ‘style’ iit! xoxox
written on June 10th, 2010, at 12:30 ami meant to say ‘maybe your style is already in your work but you haven’t recognised it’
written on June 10th, 2010, at 12:31 amI see someone who adores stitching, and who is highly proficient at it. I also see someone who has a real eye for design!
written on June 10th, 2010, at 12:47 amI see clean lines and clean designs (not a lot of extraneous stitching – does that make sense?), and minimalism in color (lots of redwork, blackwork, and the like).
I love when folks do mosaics of their embroidery projects :).
written on June 10th, 2010, at 1:45 amI see bold colours on raw natural back grounds… Somethings are harsh and sold in real life but you soften and simplify their designs and make them beautiful!! It makes me shine on the inside and out!!
xo Steph
written on June 10th, 2010, at 1:49 amI definitely see a lot of attention to detail and very happy, joyful things. I think finding your style is a big topic, we all go through doubts and self explorations. It’s probably helpful to just make stuff for yourself, whatever comes out and generally your style sort of shows through!
written on June 10th, 2010, at 4:01 amStitch stitch stitching queen – That is what comes to my mind when I see all your work organized like that =)
written on June 10th, 2010, at 4:11 amwow ..this is like being at a gallery..each so artistic!!
Did i dream you use to make stampers??
my art blog is on hiatus but i post here.elk
written on June 10th, 2010, at 9:05 amYour style is instantly recognisable Gretchen! What a fabulous showcase of your work :) I love to make things ‘just because’ too!
written on June 10th, 2010, at 2:43 pmEach piece is absolutely exquisite! :)
written on June 12th, 2010, at 9:14 pmYour blog is a treasure~
:)
Wow ~ this is great. How wonderful to look back, and what an achievement! Here’s to many more
written on June 14th, 2010, at 7:40 amOh the eternal question… :) I struggle with this too. Your stitchery is magnificent but does it have to be a static thing that never grows, changes and experiments? Making with others in mind is probably quite a wonderful way to extend yourself and try new things. There’s that saying about the journey not the destination flitting through my brain, but I’m sure you don’t want to read platitudes! ;) Okay, my thoughts are basically this: if it makes you happy then do it; go in whatever direction your fancy (or duty) take you and you can only be the richer for it. I love what you do :) Kx
written on June 15th, 2010, at 6:42 am