When I arrived at my latest Quilt Meeting, I brought my most recent work of art and across the table from where I was sitting, on a shelf, was my book. (We meet in the Library in town.)
Looking at my earliest Ladies compared to my last, there is a striking difference; a body has emerged.
I love my first ladies, even if they were mostly clothes.
The discussion was interesting, when a women spoke of a theater production she had attended, of a war. On stage there was one side of actual people and the other side was just clothing. The clothing was empty and when struck by the real people would sway, move and become animated.
This brought the discussion to how much more we expect when there is more form, if you will, to art.
When I was creating with ribbon and yarn for arms and legs, I was much freer and a lot less critical.
I didn't expect much from the yarn. And, in the beginning, I actually let the yarn flow as it would, when I laid it down. I wasn't even trying to mimic the actual effect of a leg.
And, the viewer filled in what was missing.
We were co-creators.
Now, when I have a full body, I am expecting much more real looking ladies.
The first ladies were whimsical, and could be art without reality.
As my lady started to become more active or have more adventures, I began to add more and more to her form, besides the clothing.
And, I also believed or made a rule up, that my ladies had to keep going in one direction - fuller.
More real.
More life like.
And, I have enjoyed having faceless ladies and even felt a slight panic, once I made a neck, that soon, I would have to try and make faces.
I didn't feel like I had the option of going back to the yarn arms, it felt like I was cheating somehow, or backsliding.
I am pretty sure art has no rules.
I am eager to now play with my ladies and let them be.
Somedays, it does feel too heavy to create lifelike features; it is so much easier to be whimsical and free spirited!
I think the rules of life were getting in front of my Art.
Making me believe that there are certain criteria the longer I am an artist.
Instead, I forgot to remember, that as the artist, I have the license to free expression.
The spirit of my lady is to be empowered, free and full of free expression and now so too will my art be.
I feel like a narrow passage has now been open to flow going in all directions.
Free will in my art will be a game changer.
I am no longer bound by made up rules that my mind thought of.
My art is now freer from my mind.
I must remember to question my mind, always.
Especially in Art.
Art - "the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form."
My Lady, is the expression of empowerment, self-expression, free, joy, adventure, a life evolving and I now have access to all her many facets!
Moksha - Being released from the cycle of rebirth!
Art moves as it wants - without the expectations of the artist.
