Working With Intent or Without?
I’m NOT a natural athlete. Back when I was taking tennis lessons, I just aimed for the middle of the opposite court and was happy to keep it between the lines. But, my instructor encouraged me to “hit with intent.” To notice my opponent’s position and direction of movement, and to aim accordingly.
When making quilts I also do so “with intent.” That is, I have a plan. I usually have a sketch and a basic idea of where I’m headed. Then, I allow, no encourage, no require myself to interpret the idea and alter the image as I’m creating. But I really need that starting plan, (like the one below.) I find that I just waste time without it.
Click any image for a larger view.
Yet, other artists work in exactly the opposite way. Working abstractly, they proceed quickly, allowing things to happen almost randomly (at least at first.) I even know of one teacher who encourages her students to “work without intent.” Gee, that sounds intriguing (and kinda scary!)
Both approaches produce excellent art, so I’m wondering why some artists work better with one method and others with the opposite approach. Does it have to do with our inate “wiring?” Like being left brained or right brained?
My working preferences are clear. The quilt below was made in a class in which the teacher encouraged us to initially place fabrics with absolutely no plan. Gee, that was tough for me! I like the finished quilt quite a bit, but I have to admit that it evolved only after I allowed myself to break the teacher’s “rule” and create a mental plan. I guess I’m just not a go-with-the-flow kind of gal.
P.S. See more about the progress of the first quilt in these earlier posts: May 29, 2010 through September 1, 2010.
I usually start with at least a rough plan similar to yours. Occasionally I start something without a plan. Sometimes it ends up great, and sometimes it ends up in the “what was I thinking?” pile. I took a Pamela Allen class where she encouraged creating a background without knowing ahead of time what the imagery in the quilt would be. I’m working on it again after a couple of years not knowing where to take it. It’s good to step out of the comfort zone once in a while.
Hi Linda,
It sounds like we work in a rather similar fashion.
Pamela’s idea sounds interesting. If it were only the background, perhaps I could make myself work without a plan. Then, I could sit and plan before proceeding to the foreground elements. Hmm.