I'm a textile kind of girl. I am known around these parts as a fabric artist. But in teaching my 0n-line workshop on how to sell your art...one of the main things I teach is developing your Signature Style. Developing the look you will be known for takes hard work....just getting in the studio and working....moving things around...touching materials...Signature Style does not happen without a work ethic; it does not happen waiting for the magical moment of inspiration. It happens when you show up and get to work. My Signature Style happened by being in my little basement studio with a few ideas flitting about my head...images and thoughts that had stuck with me. Pioneer womens journals...an old photo stitched to a piece of covered wagon canvas...Ken Burns PBS Series The Civil War....photographs with words. But none of that would have meant anything to me artistically if I had not asked the words...What if...
What if I put all these elements together? What if I kept them in the color palette of the covered wagon? What if I added words...my words? What if I stitched the layers together in an imperfect way? What if.....
And in teaching my marketing workshop I realized I asked what if still...but I didn't ask it enough. I had settled into my Signature Style and wasn't questioning myself as much as I should. So recently I stood in front of my fabrics and in front of my work and asked....What if? What if I made a version of my work...but made it entirely out of paper? What if I could find papers that I could treat just like I treat my fabrics. Coffee-stain...burn....iron...sew. The rush of discovering a new idea was just like it has always been. Thrilling. So I talked to my friend C (yes her name is C) at paperarts.com and she set me up with papers that would survive my techniques and I was off and running.
So yes, it's fun to experience the what if come to life, but the main thing I'm trying to say is that the "What if technique" is an amazing tool. It's one part to developing your Signature Style. I have a 30 minute video on my Marketing Mindset workshop just on this subject alone. And it's a crucial subject. Without a Signature Style you will be limited in the distance you can run with your art. You will start and stop forever....never having "that thing" that identifies your work as your work. And even if you have your style down pat as I like to think I do...you must always be curious, always be seeking new roads....never stop asking "What if..."
6 comments:
And I think LIFE sould be lived that way too. WHen you live like that, the universe throws the doors wide open. One fine example of this happening is that I am carrying the Paralympic torch this coming Friday. I will be one of only 600 Canadians to do so.
WHAT IF I applied and was chosen? It took 5 minutes of my time to put things in motion to fullfil a life-long dream.
When we step out in faith, the universe rises to meet us. This I know for sure.
Oh yes, like Lelainia, I try to live my LIFE like that as WELL! I always tell my manchild - just as my dad told me . . . "Closed mouths don't get fed"! I don't like to have to say to myself "what if I had . . . "
It is ever so true,and ever so difficult for some kind of people, I was the quiet ,not outcoming kind of woman, but I have learned,-and the blogging, where writing,first strangers,has given me a lot, I can speak loud now,--- have to learn more about that ,with my creating,I kind of got stucked here with my fabric dolls, that are the ones I`m known for in my shop...........
KC dear- your paperwork is gorgeus, and they looks like cloth,fantastic.
Love and hugs, Dorthe
Just love the neutral colors and textures in this paper piece! Thanks for the shot in the arm! dix---
Great idea to use paper KC! I wonder if you have access to birchbark? That would be pretty awesome too. I think I've seen birchbark printed paper, but don't recall where. As much as I love your fabric work I think the paper really sings to me.
WHAT IF is just one of the KC gems to come out of her Marketing Mindset Workshop! KC has some GREAT insights and experience to share. I'm so glad I signed up for this very important workshop! Thanks KC, for all your encouragement and for selflessly sharing your expertise!
XOXO
Eileen
http://ruralwisconsin.blogspot.com
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