Looking back on my life as an artist, there is a continuation of style.  I think that moving from one media to another you never really change the direction of your work. I have moved from painting to printmaking, and then to many years as a ceramic artist and then to a fiber artist. My old computer died. I have been looking through  the files and deciding what I want to save to the new one.  I am finding a surprise in each file.  Looking back is giving me a new perspective on the direction I want to move in the future.

Here is an example of a design that I created in clay in the 1990's.  I had forgotten this plate until a friend posted it on line. I have been really lazy about documenting my work. It is important to do this.  It so resembles a traditional quilt pattern with the grids and repetition of pattern.  It was done years before I started working with fiber and designing wall pieces.  I don't have many photos of older work. Below is an example of what I was working on a few years ago.

It's just interesting, that's all.  I think if you look at any artist that has been working for many decades in the art field you will see a pattern in their lives.  Betty Woodman comes to mind right away.  Judith Trager also.  An artist's brain never shuts down. I find that I am always thinking in color, pattern, composition even while I am asleep.  I don't like to give advice to other artists because I have no idea what is in their heads.  When I taught art in elementary  school my advice was for each student to look into the world that they lived in and come up with an idea and follow it through.  I had tables of various materials for them to work with. I said, go to the material you want to work on. I have no one at my home studio to tell me what to make.  The best work will come from your own ideas.  As far as all the "rules" of art....I feel that there aren't any.  Create with your guts.  Who knows where that RED should go or what color the sky should be.  Working in a series will train yourself better that anything I know of. I feel you cannot get one idea down in one piece. It may take 10 or 100. Keep pushing the boundaries. Good work will come.

JOY

 2021........It's been a very long time since I posted on this blog.  Old computer. Lack of interest about writing about myself, having too many fabric projects in the works to sit down and write, and then the pandemic took a tole on my creativity.  Lots of my friends have thrived on the isolation and alone time. I guess you can't go back to something that is not there again.  My art work has taken a new direction.  It is really hard to make a living as an artist, but doubly hard when the art venues are virtual.  I have not entered in any shows this whole stay at home order.  My place to sell bit the dust like many art galleries around the country.  I am working again and not caring who sees it or if I can sell.  I could back up to the  period before I quit posting, but really you can not go back.  Forward is the direction. The piece below is the latest thing that I have done. I call it JOY because after a very long dry period this is what came out.  Due to circumstances beyond my control I had my joy stolen.  Hence the title.  I am hoping that the Art Galleries that survived the pandemic are able to continue to show and sell art work.  Artists have really had to scramble to stay afloat. I will try to do better. Cheers to all that made it trough!