Change ahead
I am absolutely a project-oriented person. I am a little embarrassed to admit that only recently did I even begin to understand the world of process-oriented people. I just thought they didn’t finish their projects. It never occurred to me that process-oriented people are completely content with UFO’s. They want to play with the process and once that fun is over, they move on. What a concept!
Giggle-Fall leaf speared by my cactus
I did a Google search and this is odd: process/project-orientation articles focused almost exclusively on children, formal education or, get this, the dating and mating world. Oh my, I learned some new terms by reading the latter! I’d like to understand my process-oriented friends better.
Odd fall beauty of the mini-pomegranate
This topic surfaced in my mind as I began to contemplate 2016. I am not one to do New Year’s resolutions or Word of the Year-I just simply don’t work that way. But 2016 is on my mind because I can’t help but realize how challenging it is going to be for me.
Fall hydrangea
Next year will hold several major events: a whole-house remodel starting in (allegedly) February, two moves necessitated by the remodel, replacing most of the very well-worn furnishings in the house (I do NOT like to shop), living in a rental for 6 months, a Major Family Event in October, and who knows what else!
Stunning texture of the River Birch bark
Now all of this is good news! But all that turmoil will have a dramatic impact on my art. I envision trying to get ready to teach or travel or lecture in all that chaos. How will I have time to make art? Will I make art?
Grasses fading into winter
Which brings me back to process vs. projects. I may, by necessity, need to immerse myself in more short-term, process-oriented art. There is so much to explore! Gilbert Muniz’s recent post on indigo dyeing makes me want to dye, I want to explore Martha Wolfe’s process using fused layers and sheers, I have some piecing projects in mind and I really want to try some Modern ideas that are rolling around.
Love how the moss blooms after the rains begin
I get weak in the knees to think that I might not finish something for months! Would I find myself blogging about the merits of foam mattresses vs. European vs. traditional? Would you like to weigh in on Brushed Nickel vs. Chrome? Ack.
I know it’s good to rattle my artistic cage. I’ll just go kicking, screaming and whining. I am most blissful when I have a plan, and I am at my machine, creating! That truly gives me joy, hence my blog’s tagline, “Quilting makes me skip for joy”. I may have to find a new way to be joyful.
I hope you enjoyed these random photos of my yard preparing for winter-they have nothing to do with my topic! I will be linking up with Nina Marie’s Off the Wall Friday so be sure to check out this week’s links.
Ahh… now you know a little more about me, a process oriented person. I applaud you for approaching this new phase of your life. You will grow and change and that’s all a good thing. I look forward to hearing about your new journey.
Maybe I will understand the process thing a little better after a year, giggle! I definitively have some angst about all of this.
I totally enjoyed this post, thanks for being so honest. Stay calm during your remodeling, or as calm as possible.
Kathy
I’m glad you enjoyed it Kathy. I am going to have to get better at staying calm!
As one of your process-driven friends, I think you might find it helpful to put together a number of solid or pieced sandwiches before your remodel begins. You can play and complete!
I, also, would like to play with some indigo dye; shall we?
xo
Yes! The Indigo starter kit is only $15 and Gilbert did I think 8 yards of fabric. Let’s do it!
Change is usually uncomfortable, for me at least, but it often brings great surprises!
I don’t mine other kinds of change, but my home, now that one is hard. I do think it will ultimately result in some wonderful surprises, it’s just there will be some pain getting there!
Totally understand the “ANGST” (caps required for this!!!)! We leave for 3 months in Texas in a week and a half. On the surface………….glorious warmth, no snow, no bundling, etc. BUT……..we will be in an area that is almost void of quilt shops, my sewing nest/equipment/tons of “little aids” will be “up North..(no extra room for such in TX). Now, I know that I will have opportunity to create/stitch but I love my nest and I hate to shop(!) for things I know I have at home….sigh…..
Seriously……a total home remodel sounds like a major challenge for sure~and one I can’t conceive of. I’m just hoping our garage build (started last Sunday) will continue on some type of reasonable schedule!!! LOL!!!!!
Oh Doreen, what a challenge! It’s like being without your own clothes or something. I mean it’s a great problem and you’ll enjoy Texas but girl, you need a real studio down there!
Think forward, Jenny. At the end of 2016 you will have a ‘new’ house and be back into your wonderful new work space. You will have come through all of the trials and tribulations that you are anticipating and be back to ‘skipping’ again.
Sometimes I think Leslie has the right idea with her studio away from her home. When she is there she can concentrate on her art and not on housework although even a studio needs some cleaning and straightening occasionally. She can leave her projects in place and not worry about them until she returns.
I wish you good luck and happiness in the new year with all that it involves.
Oh I know Helen, it’s just that we’re talking a year, a whole year maybe! I have thought about a studio away from home and Art actually suggested that once-hmmm, I wonder why! I do think in my new studio I can leave things messy if I’d like-wahoo!!
I am a process oriented quilting/artist. I do have UFO on the shelf, but now and again I pull them out to finish them ;-)! I LOVE to play with new ideas and see the results of a day or two of just playing with fabric! I add that technique to my bag of tricks and then integrate it into a project, which I’ll finish! I’ll be your studio is neat! Add a new corner that’s a bit messy….it actually feels good sometimes! Have a wonderful new year. It’s sounding wonderfully creative…new processes!
It sounds like you are both process and project oriented Loretta-what a great combination! I need to play more….
I don’t know if you can change Jenny. What about planning a modular project that you can assemble at a later date. I just moved my studio into a commercial space and finally can finish some projects…but I also enjoy seeing some unfinished experimental work living n the dsogn wall!
THank you Janice-I think I will just need to change and adapt to the new set up. I have never had a real design wall so that sounds wonderful to have unfinished experimental work on the wall!
Was reading along and unexpectedly stumbled on my name! Anytime you want to get together and play – let me know. BTW – my pending cross-country move was one of the other incentives to start Viewpoints 9….which has provided opportunities for project and process, as well as a deadline. The challenges may bring exciting inspiration and change to how you work and what you create!
Thanks Martha-I will take you up on that. I really love how you add the sheer layer. I did not know that about Viewpoints 9. Okay, so this whole move thing can really be a good thing!
so, you know it will be okay.
Yes you do.
What wonderful things will you discover about yourself in this time? How will it change you? There will be little changes daily, and those would be fun to read about if you blog them. Is there an online challenge like the hand appliqued circle a day or the sketch a day (not them, they are just examples) you can do?
The pictures were terrific by the way. Olives in your yard?? Awesome. It’s so gray and dreary here in DC area right now…
Of course you’ll put up a design wall in the rental… and will continue to make art.
LeeAnna
LeeAnna you are an encouraging soul! Those are some great ideas, the thought of a little mini-exercise to do every (or almost) everyday is a great idea.
I think I am a process person. I certainly know I never take the fast route and resist people who say “It’s faster to do it this way!”. I really enjoy trying new things : how do you piece that square or what would these colors look like together… Consequently I do have a few UFO’s. (And part of that is that I’m not a good machine quilter!)
The house re-do sounds wonderful – I wish I were you! We are having “the public areas” of our house (halls, great room,etc) painted grey in January and I am so looking forward to it. Beige is not working as a neutral for me anymore. The moving does sound stressful. May I suggest (gasp) hand piecing? It really is the best take along project! I don’t know if you are one of the non hand piecing people as so many are, but there is a time and a place for it!
You really do sound process-oriented Debbie. I’ll bet the painting of your walls, especially in winter, will give you and your house a big lift! And yet another good suggestion-hand piecing. My friend Laura hand pieces and you’re right, it is relaxing and she always has something at the ready.
Does it have to be either or Jenny? I believe I am ambidextrous in this department – both process and project driven. You may be too, and just not know it. How else would you have come up with the perfect quilt sandwich? I treat the process like a project. That is why I have signed up for SAQA’s Vision Project year after year and I frequently choose a process, that is a project. An example was completing LifeBook 2014, an on-line mixed media class with weekly assignments. I wanted to learn the process. I could care less about the results and certainly never plan on using the project or finished product from the class. Sometimes what is needed is a paradigm shift. I see from the comments you are already embracing the idea of indigo dying with a friend. Process and Product.
A very thoughtful response Gwyned-thank you! I guess I work both ways but I feel product driven.I looked up LifeBook and I see why you would enjoy learning the process without the need to create the book. And I do think it will be a paradigm shift, it’s just that I will go kicking and screaming through the process.
Well, you know I went through this recently. It seems to me, that for you, to have your sewing machine set up and ready for use would be a really good, calming thing. Even if you are not making a “project,” it seems like sewing/quilting is what you love, and there’s probably no reason you should not be able to do that, even in the midst of chaos. I liked what another commenter said–to have a couple of sandwiches ready to go.
Thank you Debby! I do think that I’ll get the sewing area set up pretty quickly. But among the very first things after kitchen and bathrooms is getting my teaching/lecture/trunk show all set up.