I've another moment of synchronicity this morning.
I've been hard at work in my studio this morning, continuing to assemble a variety of mini "fragments", experimenting with colors, exploring permutations.
Although I'm making great progress, and actually ENJOYING the process, I was panicking a little. I realized I probably wasn't going to have anything near enough to completion to take to my artists meeting tomorrow morning.
I wanted to be able to bring SOMETHING that would show the others where I was going with this idea. I always hated it in former, more formal groups when someone showed up with "scraps" and painted this big idea project in words that never actually materialized in later meetings. I want to get away from the "big talk" and do the actual "walk".
I fussed a bit, but determined I had to keep going somehow.
Suddenly, a basket of fabric that's served a purely decorative purpose lately(for the American Style photo shoot) became highly annoying. I realized it was taking up way too much space on my work surface. I moved it off my work surface to clear up a little more assembly room.
Lo and behold, underneath was a pile of partially-assembled fragments I'd started earlier this year.
I remember at that time that I had the same IDEA, but not the same FAITH in myself--that this was, indeed, a good direction to go in. So I'd tried it half-heartedly, and set it aside when other things took priority.
So what's different now?
The main difference is my frame of mind, my attitude. My belief that this will either prove to be a good new product, OR a way to move through my mental stagnation.
The difference is, I'm feeling it's definitely a good line of thought to pursue. In fact, the same person who gave me the original idea of making simpler pieces back then (Alisha Vincent whose blog you can read at www.alishavincent.com) is also the person who told me two days ago that my new targeted price point ($200-$500) is THE price point that's selling right now. If you're going to make stuff and hope to sell it, this is a good range to be in.
I know I said I don't want to focus on making art simply to make money. But I also want my work to go home with people! An attractive price range will help that happen.
What's different is, I'm also feeling that this approach is something manageable, a way to ease myself back into the bigger pieces eventually. I can feel myself thinking differently about the process already. Instead of "now what?", I'm feeling "what if?"
What's different is, even more importantly, these little pieces are F-U-N. I think I said that yesterday. Bears repeating. F-U-N.
So just when the anxiety about this direction pops up ("Yeah, it may be a great idea, but how will I SHOW my friends what this looks like?"), a little pile of nearly-finished pieces resurfaces.
Synchronicity. Bring it on!
