Friday, September 1, 2017

A whack on the side of the head...

     Or a Kick in the Seat of the Pants. The titles of books from the 70s describe my thinking process since I got back from the whirlwind bus trip to NYC. I remember reading these back then and getting my head bent a bit. And the two books that influenced my drawing dramatically were Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain and the two Mona Brookes drawing books. They erupted my thinking attitudes artistically. 
     I have a huge list of quilts that I want to make taped to the wall in my studio and rumbling around in my head. I have a few quilters that have hugely influenced me and continue to do so. So why am I fumbling around, ping ponging from idea to idea? Why have producing comfort quilts sort of ground my gears to a halt? Why have I not accomplished any landscape quilts in two years? Too much swamp and indecision and scattered attempts.
     In particular, when I visited the Chihuly exhibit at the New York Botanical Gardens, I had a lot of cognitive dissonance and connectedness to the visual treats. I am not a writer, so as I tried to jot down my ideas, nothing jelled. However, when I thought of images, similar concepts and visuals came together. You are by now convinced I am looney tunes or you are curious to read on (are you with me, Julie?).
     Chihuly is a master of color, shape, and making more of what you see or think you see. He uses reflections to extend his work and to make that mystery of what is seen give you all sorts of surprises. 
     For example, red flowers reflect in a pool with the underside as part of the whole. The Red Reeds reflection add a whole new dimension. Sheets of polycarbonate make the surface of water inconsequential and fool you as to what you are really seeing. A boat of glass balls becomes symmetrical. 
     More continued whacks next post, I have to go pick myself up.


Red Reeds with reflection
Flowers with underside reflection

With reflection
Shape is extended beyond water surface



7 comments:

Mystic Quilter said...

Wonderfully descriptive 'ping-ponging from idea to idea', I'm guilty of that, I sympathise with you.
Now, you are another lucky blogger to go visit the Chihuly exhibit and what a stunning setting for it. A feast for the eyes , stunning.

Debbie said...

You don't need words when you have photos to reveal the reflection, the color, the extension, the drama. The drama is strongest for me in the flower details revealed in their reflections. The whole experience is beautiful and must have just rocked your socks! Use it as a leaping point to change direction, to feed your soul, to open your eyes. Thanks for sharing this.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I love standing in his exhibits and simply inhaling. There is so much to take in and I find his outdoor installations even more inspiring than the ones indoors. SO glad you had a chance to experience this. You'll feel the effects for a long, long time (and it's mostly impossible to put it into words so don't worry).

Quiltdivajulie said...

And as far as the ping-pong-ing of quilting projects - it is happening here, too. I suspect it is due to the visual overload we have with the online quilting world mixed with our real world visuals. SO many choices --- I need to close my shutters for a while so I can focus!

Sujata Shah said...

I just came from Seattle. Having been there so many times and not having a single day to visit the museum, I finally made it to the museum after the wedding was over. Oh what a treat! I love your pictures here better because green is always such a great back drop. I am so glad you got to visit the exhibit.
As far as too many inspirations.. one thing at a time and it all get done in its own time.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Kevin the Quilter said...

Wow! What beautiful surroundings you have enjoyed as of late! Very inspirational!

Sarah said...

I saw the Chihuly exhibit at the Miami Botanical Garden twice but your insights to the similar NYC exhibit were fantastic. Makes the exhibit seem so ..."different" ... than my just seeing it for the glass it was. You've got an incredible eye and insight!