I was sure I’d write each Sunday. This week, instead, I worked on a sewing project. Here is the way it went. I saw a pillow in a furniture store and really liked the design. Gathers and braid, a center square panel, all put together to make a subtle but luxurious accent. “I have material that would suit that kind of pillow, and in my colors,” I told my friend, Mary who works at the store. So, I set my weekend sights on making the pillow. Only once. After an internet search and a call to my more advanced creative minded sister, Julie, I started in on figuring out the process of all these pieces.
Another call and Julie suggested I bead the cording that I complained didn’t work. Only two full days of sewing, a trip to WalMart for more stuffing, an apartment that is a shambles, and voila! an almost perfect pillow, except for a certain amount of beading.
Let’s face it. It is a hobby with something to show for it. After about ten more pillows, I could put a tutorial up on youtube. Don’t wait. One gathered, center paneled, corded and braid trimmed pillow is it.
Next weekend it will be boxes for art supplies. Wallpaper on the inside, tapestry fabric on the outside. The boxes are sitting in the living room waiting. I haven’t quite figured out how to do it all but, creativity will have to be applied along with the glue.
So, back to the Bargue drawings. I’m on my third “Bargue.” Another student and I laughed about why we thought the first Bargue was so hard. The first was a simple torso, this one is Homer. I will begin a new drawing tomorrow so I’ll be up and out early to start. I don’t know the name of the piece but it is large and probably deceptively simple.
It is amazing to learn so much from what appears to be a tedious exercise that just never gets done. I am still working on my first two pieces at home. The method and thinking are very different from any drawing I’ve done before.
I’ve set myself the task of drawing something at home every day. Tonight I cleaned up most of the sewing things to make room for a place I can set up and leave for the daily drawing. Much easier to do this when everything I need is right there. The point is to do something small–start to finish–that puts what I learn to use. Hearing the instruction and recognizing the truth of it is not the same as applying it.
Some days I’d like an “easy” button that says: “apply.” Or maybe just an easy button.
But, in the morning, when the day is fresh, I know I want to be able to draw, and eventually paint what I see. Once I get that, I can put all these ideas that run around in my head on canvas. Worth it, n’est pas?
Y’all write, call, come visit!
