Suffering for Art

There is an interesting blog I follow by Christian Mihai, a writer, wherein he discusses a lot of topics, but of particular interest to me are his art topics. One of the blogs had to do with suffering for art, which I always found to be a fascinating subject, particularly since it has been much debated as far back as I can remember which is quite a few years now. I always picture Vincent Van Gogh whenever I hear about this because it seems he suffered quite a lot from his mental illness, and then translated that into physical suffering when he sliced his ear off. I also equate artistic suffering with financial suffering, since that seems to be another popular link, and not without some basis in fact.

Now being a working artist is not an easy task by any means, and let's face it, work usually equals some kind of suffering, no matter what it entails. Many people work at jobs that do not pay very well for the amount of effort they expend, and always dream of earning more money and bettering their lot in life by doing so. So are artists really any different than any other working individual or is their suffering unique by virtue of their vocation?

I don't have any definitive answer to that question, but I will tell you what I know. After being in the workforce all my life and working very hard every day to earn a paycheck that certainly did not equal my efforts, ever, and never being able to truly own what I did, it amounted to a lot of suffering equals little reward. However, when I am working on my art in any capacity, I am rewarded with the gift of creative release and satisfaction. My spirit knows an inner joy that is rejuvenating, healing, and rewarding. It feels like I have taken my soul to the spa, and instead of feeling depleted, anxious, and stymied, I feel gratified and fulfilled.

So do artists suffer for their art? I believe that people that are fortunate enough to work at what they love may suffer financial hardships as well as other stumbling blocks along the way, just as anyone in the work force anywhere does. What makes the difference is if you are doing something that you truly love and are passionate about, because when that is the case, it no longer is a torturous everyday existence that exerts a mind numbing control over your being, but instead, one that you embrace with anticipation and happiness every day.

Magdalena Abakanowicz

Agora by Magdalena Abakanowicz, permanent installation in Grant Park, Chicago

There are so many giants in the field of fiber arts that we now stand on the shoulders of, and I love to read about them and their work. They are remarkable for their innovation, vision, and hard work. They are inspiring for those of us that are on the same path, and teach us that the creative spirit has a long history of makers that blazed trails against formidable odds.

One such artist is Magdalena Abakanowicz. This amazing artist from Poland, grew up during some of the most tumultuous times in history, World War II and the spread of Communism. This  remarkable woman, even with these obstacles, managed to make her art and become an internationally recognized talent. Her story is one of the most inspiring I have read. I hope you will take a moment to find out more about her. Here are two links to her information:

http://www.abakanowicz.art.pl/

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdalena_Abakanowicz

More of the Other Guys

As a needlework/fiber artist I love to see the creative works of other artists working in the same media. There is so much excellent talent out there it is a never ending source of awe and inspiration. One such artist is Michelle Kingdom. I was blown away by her work with needle and thread. Her art proves that work that is small can be as impactful as a large piece. Her work feels intimate to me, a look into dreamscapes that leaves the viewer to their own devices for explanations. To be amazed by the talent of this artist, go here:
https://michellekingdom.com/

Go here for an interview with the artist:
https://www.textileartist.org/michelle-kingdom-exploring-secret-thoughts/

Quick Addendum About Twinkling H2O's

So I got a newsletter recently from one of my favorite shops, Artistic Artifacts, and it seemed they were highlighting Twinkling H2O's! And July Gula, the owner/artist, sells them by the pot, so you don't have to buy packages of them! Yeah! I also got to thinking about the permanence of this product on fabric and so I will heat set my sample and see if the paint stays or washes down the drain, an important consideration of using it in any art project. I will reveal the results on the next video and then post the results on my blog too. How wonderful we can still access this amazing product and can do it on an individual basis! Be sure to check out Judy's shop and blog, it really is a blast and I have done business with her for years and know her products are top notch and customer service just awesome.

I'll be back soon!

Switching It Up

We have been talking about fabric paints for a while and I think it is time we changed it up a bit. With DMC's release of their new cotton floss colors, I think it is time to look at some fibers, don't you? After all, they are the lifeblood of any kind of needlework, and ever so much more important to those that are pursuing the artistic vein of it. There are such a variety out there now that of course it makes our jobs so much more of a joy and gratifying. I have used a lot of different fibers over the years and must confess I love them all! That is not to say though that they are all easy to work with, because some of them can be a challenge, but the effects are always more than worth it.

Let me start with the tried and true and my most favorite cotton floss, DMC. I love DMC because I have used it since I was a child and they still make the same great quality fiber to this day. The fact that they continue to expand their line, shows they are still committed to providing needleworkers with great resources from their company. I also was very fortunate a few years back to snag up all that I could of their linen floss and their flower threads before they disappeared forever. I was really saddened by the fact that they discontinued those two lines, in addition to their crewel wool. I admit, I have tried others, mainly out of curiosity, but I never did see any significant difference, and even though others will always burst upon the scene with claims of being better, it's hard to beat the company that has been around since 1746. I've always considered them to be the benchmark of floss by which I judge all others. Plus, they are carried practically everywhere, so there is never a problem finding the color I need, and pricing is truly reasonable, especially when you catch them on sale. How can you not love this fiber?

As for storage, I tried winding them on those cardboard floss bobbins, but they just didn't really work for me. Instead, I use the plastic storage bags and here is why. I usually have more than one skein of floss in various colors and the bags store more of them. They also are handy to hold any leftover strings I may be able to use next time. I don't have those sharp folded angles on my thread to hassle with and it saves me time to just pop them in a bag rather than have to wind them. Since they are stored on rings, when they come up with a new color number, I just add a bag to the ring and don't have to move a bunch of them around to be in correct order. Easy Peasy!

Also, be sure to check out their website. They have lots of wonderful free patterns, including archived alphabets and designs, to download and use. They also showcase the original works of contemporary needleworkers, which is wonderful to see who else is out there and what they are doing. You can sign up for their newsletter too to stay on top of new announcements. My understanding is that they have a site for the United States and one for Europe so be sure to check the correct site for information.

So stay tuned until next time for more fibers!

Thought Nugget:
To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.
~Kurt Vonnegut