I have become consumed with a new idea. After months of waiting, trying to put ideas together, forcing, pushing, squeezing, manipulating, a new work, a new book, must find, (non of which worked)... an idea floats in. It comes, as they most often do, on a long walk in the woods. It floats past my head, gently, out in front of me where I can contemplate it for a moment. It comes in unconnected, unrelated, unhindered by any of the previous ideas. Alone. But with a force. A well of excitement builds like an explosion in my gut.
All of my best projects come with this feeling attached. Call it a strong knowing. Aha. elation. and then i am running. literally. there is so much energy i can't contain it. the work begins. i wake up in the middle of the night with new ideas, scribbling down thoughts at all times of the day. consumed.
and it feels really good.
that is all i will say for now. I have always had a practice of not talking too much about a project while it is in production. It lets out too much of a the energy about it, energy that needs to go into the creation. Don't worry, I will keep you updated.
I will say that it is new, different, and it touches on some of the feelings I am having about the politcal climate in North America of late. Encouraging change in small ways (or big). That is the role of the artist.
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some links I am perusing...
...simply serra, cute design
...kelly blair, fabulous book covers you could eat!
...Yamauchi Kazuacki, (I can't remember where I got this link from, apologies)
...52 Projects, (found from my stats page), love this!!!
...the Lost Mitten Project, (link via Tania's inspiring illustrated blog) I am an avid mitten loser. (You may remember that last winter I crocheted a long string for my mittens.) So this project speaks to my mitten losing heart. The artist hangs hundred of single mittens in various installations. I alway feel a slight sadness when I find a lost mitten myself. Is the owner missing it? What led up to the loss?
...on a more serious note this blog by a girl living in Iraq really moved me and made me want to do something (link via the daring donovan). Even if it is donating money to the relief effort. A company I trust for this, as I've been dealing with them for many years now. (their site seem to be down for the moment. keep trying)
Posted by kerismith at November 16, 2004 09:56 AMThanks for pointing me to simple serra! I love their stuff and plan to buy their personalized stationery for everyone I know! And that blog by the young Iraqi woman was so heartbreaking and really put a human face on the whole situation for me.
Posted by: meredith on November 20, 2004 04:47 PMmaybe, when I have been doing this art thing longer, I will be able to tell the crazy, hare-brained ideas from the good ones. you give me hope.
Posted by: Theresa on November 19, 2004 12:52 PMSometimes gut feel makes all the difference!
And thanks for sharing those great links!
Posted by: Toni on November 18, 2004 09:35 PMJodi Iraq was one of the arab nations with the highest levels of education for women and probably the greatest levels of equality.
Posted by: m on November 18, 2004 10:46 AMUnderstand your sadness relating to lost mittens. Although its generally warmer where I am and mittens arent required, I am constantly amazed at single lost shoes. Really, how do you lose one shoe?
Anyway, good luck with your project.
Posted by: Pete on November 17, 2004 10:21 PMI love that feeling of being consumed. It makes it all worthwhile.
Posted by: kathryn on November 17, 2004 09:54 PMHi Kerri, I'm glad you like the lost mitten project.
Posted by: karina on November 17, 2004 08:10 PMhee!
glad you liked the mitten project!
and thanks for calling my blog inspired!
:)
t
Are you positive that Riverbend is for real? Just curious, because I read it and was impacted to tears, sent the link to some friends, and they questioned it's authenticity. Made me start to wonder if this was an anti-war ploy coming from the US. Any idea on how to find out for sure? (For example, do Iraqi women speak English that well and know about Fox news?)
Posted by: Jodi on November 17, 2004 11:31 AMhttp://www.wearewhatwedo.org/default.aspx
Keri - I don't know if this fits in with what you are doing but it might give you ideas.
I had a touching example of how a small action can have an impact this morning when an admin person said how much she liked the postcards I sent when paying for my organic box!
Posted by: m on November 17, 2004 05:07 AMtoo funny -- i just discovered tania over the w/e amongst several other inspiring blogs she links to -- what amazes me in the blog world is how many of us end up on the same path...kindred spirits cannot miss each other...
Posted by: patricia on November 16, 2004 02:50 PMThank you so much for bringing RiverBend to our attention. It offers a window into a dark place, a painful truth from which we are insulated here in the States. Ignorance is not bliss, but it tends to makes things bearable. But these are things that we should truly not ever be able to bear.
I love coming to the Wish Jar because I always find inspiration here and can shamelessly siphon some creative juice. Fresh and crispy forest air breathes such beautiful life into projects. Best of luck on this your next creation.
Posted by: Honey on November 16, 2004 01:11 PMKeri - I love the way you describe your process as an artist. I connect w/ it and your wisdom and thoughts enlighten me when you are experience droughts and rivers. Thank you.
I love the links you share also. You are a true inspiration!!
Posted by: Jen on November 16, 2004 12:51 PM