On Working in a Series VII

Weeks have gone by since I started writing about this. And it doesn’t get old. I keep thinking about the subject each time I set foot in my studio and look at my design wall that contains over 40 pieces of work, developed around the subject of a shape I fell in love with: a Peruvian pot, vase or vessel that sits in my hallway.

These pieces of work are small – most are 8″ x 10″ finished (9″ x 10″ raw) and are experiments and explorations of the shape in different sizes, techniques, colours and materials.

Have you started working on yours yet? I can’t stop thinking about what else I can do with this shape. And I have a few ideas, so stay tuned …. more on this later.

But for now, a sort of recap about working in a series:

1. When developing a series of work, start with an idea, and go from there. Use a mind map as a way to research and download off your mind all thoughts regarding that idea.
2. A series doesn’t have to be long; it can be anything from 3 to xx number of pieces. As long as there’s a different thought … there’s a different piece in the making.
3. Pieces in a series do not need to be large, or “finished”, or perfect … or anything like that. A series can be a way to explore ideas, techniques and materials and work small – in preparation for, perhaps, future work? Larger work? More developed work using one of your small pieces as a starting point?
4. A series can be a way to explore a new shape, thought, idea occupying your mind. You saw something that caught your attention and you thought: “What if … I turn this idea into a piece of work?” Yes!! But what if … instead, you turn that idea into 3 pieces of work (or 5 or 10…) using, for instance, three different techniques: piecing, appliqué and a combination of both? That’s just a “for example” …
5. A series of work can be a way to explore things you’ve never tried before. For instance: working with monoprinting and a gelli plate? Fabric Painting? Screen Printing? Using text? Hand stitching? Mixed media? You get the idea …

And the list goes on. Read the previous posts to learn more about working in a series. I hope you’ve enjoyed this series of posts (pardon the pun), as I really enjoyed writing them. Leave a comment as I always love to hear from you and let me know if there’s anything else you’d like me to write about.

In the meantime, as I’m back from my travels, I’m off to work on some more of these pieces using some inspiration and ideas I brought back. Stay tuned. And, until I write again, keep creating.

Ana