Layers of Media.
The first snow is kind of like the first layer of art media being laid down to create a piece. You are somewhat apprehensive, yet also excited for a new experience. Apprehension comes with the uncertainty of how things will play out. Will there be just a dusting and it looks pretty, or will there be layer after layer and you worry it will all be too much?
No matter what media I use I’m thrilled to get using my supplies again, but somewhere in the middle I get nervous that I’ve put so much time into it and I don’t want to take a step that will mess the whole thing up. It’s not like I can’t start again. Many times I do, and the positive side effect is that I’ve learned something in the process. Is the issue that I don’t want to waste creative resources, or time, or that I simply don’t want to fail?
The photo I worked from to create this piece yesterday was from a picture I snapped about fifteen years ago. It was of a pretty area between houses in a newer part of town. With that first new snow covering I thought it looked so inviting and quaint. Now the willow trees are overgrown and it almost seems a cluttered area. I’ve seen the dilemma before. Landscaping is done to look pleasing for an area right away, but one has to consider how much space plantings will require and how components will interact and evolve over time.
Will the initial vision hold up?
Where to Start?
I think the most important thing is making a plan for execution of the project.
A workshop I took with Eliza Wheeler (see her work here) https://wheelerstudio.com/ covered an important part of the process which Eliza stated as key to eventual success. This was to spend sufficient time in the planning, and acquiring of needed resources stage, to achieve the desired results.
I’m always eager to jump into the development of a new idea and inspiration, but I’m going to try to spend more time in this integral part of the process going forward.
I also want to consider whether the end result of the whole project will be beneficial, and in the end, stand the test of time.
There will always be another snowfall, but will it be as memorable as the one you rode your first sled on, or got your first kiss in?
Make your work memorable.